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HUNTING AND FISHING 



FLORIDA, 



INCLUDING A 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS 



KNOWN TO OCCUR IN THP: STATE 



CHARLES B. CORY, 

Curator of the Department of Ornithology in the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago ; Fellow of the 

Linnajan and Zoological Societies of London ; Member of the American Ornithologists' 

Union ; of the British Ornithologists' Union ; Honorary Member of the 

California Academy of Sciences, etc., etc 



AUTHOR OF 

•The Beautiful and Curious Birds of the World," "The Birds 
OF THE Bahama Islands," "The IUrds of Haiti and San 
Domingo," "The Birds of the West Indies," "A Natu- 
ralist in the Magdalen Islands," etc., etc. 



SECOND EDITION. 



FOR SALE IW 

ESTES & LAURIAT, / -^_j^>\ ^ ^H*:Jc 

BOSTON, MASS. * '^'" 



1896. ■'• ■^'^^^ 



Copyright, 1S96, by 

CHARLES B. CORY, 

Boston, Mass. 



THE HARTA PRESS, 
BOSTON. 



C-5'i 



TO MY WIFE, 

WHO HAS OFTEN SHARED WITH ME THE PLEASURES 

AND TRIALS OF CAMP LIFE, THIS 

BOOK IS DEDICATED. 



PRKFACE TO SECOND ]:DITI0N. 

Since the pviblication ol tlie first edition of this l^ook the autlior 
has spent considerable time among the Seminole Indian,, in Florida, 
and has learned much of their manners and customs, especially 
regarding their tribal organizations and ceremonies. 

In former years, all attempts to question them closely about their 
so-called " gens " or family clans proved comparatively unsuccessful. 
They returned evasive answers and showed an evident disinclination 
to continue the conversation. Naturally, information obtained under 
such circumstances was not entirely trustworthy. Last year, how- 
ever, several of the older Indians talked freely with me and readily 
answered my questions. I am, therefore, now able to correct several 
errors in my previous account of the " Busk," or Green Corn Dance, 
and to give a little information regarding their '' gens." 

GREEN CORN DANCE. 

The great Indian Festival, known as the Green Corn Dance, or 
" Busk," is usually held at the Big Cypress Camp, where the great 
medicine man, Otaliola, now lives. It takes place during the second 
week in June, or during the " little moon in June," as it is described 
by the Indians. 

Two weeks previous to the day of the dance, notice is sent In- 
Indian runners to the different villages and isolated families giving 
the day of the ceremony. An account is kept of the days which 
intervene by hanging up a number of small sticks, one being taken 
down each day. When the last one is throwai away they repair to 
the point selected for the festival. 

The first day the people devote to building their temporary camps, 
usually a rough shelter being erected in the form of tents or palmetto 
shacks. In the afternoon the men play ball, and in tlie evening 



PREPACK TO SECOND EDITION. 

dancing is indulged in. The second day great quantities of wood 
are brought in. The men go off and hunt and kill as much game as 
they can, so that every one may have plenty. The wood is chopped 
and made ready for fires, and the camp is arranged in good order for 
the regular ceremony. The third day is devoted to eating, drinking, 
playing ball, and having a good time generally. The fourtli day is 
the day of the ceremony. 

Very early in the morning the chief medicine man, dressed in 




GOING iO THK GRKEiN COKN DANCK. 



white deer skins, builds a small fire in the middle of the camp. Four 
young men then approach from the four points of the compass, each 
carrying an oak log. They advance toward the fire with great 
ceremony and deposit their logs end to end, pointing to the four points 
of the compass, the fire being in the middle. After these logs have 



PRi^KAci-: ro six'OM) edition. 

Ix'conie i^nitud, four oUut youn^- men come forward, hrin^inif each 
an ear of com, whicli the medicine man lakes from ihem and phices 
on the fire. 

Then four younif men approach, carr\inL;- a iiuantil\- of the heaves 
of the cassina jihint, flex rassiiic, a species of hoilv, from w liich the 
" bhick drink"' is made. A few of these leaves are thrown on the 
tire and consumed. The remainder is partially dried and cooked, 
and made into a sort of strong concoction or tea, known as the 
" black drink." The warriors and head men of tlu' tribe come in 
about ele\en o'clock, when the drink has lieconu' cool, and the cere- 
mon^' of the "black drink" then takes place. (See jiage \<.j of this 
work.) 

The decoction is drunk in turns by the head warriors, and acts as 
an emetic. No food of any kind is allowed to be eaten on this day. 
The squaws come in tlie afternoon, when every one indulges in much 
liilarious dancing and singing. Certain Indians are ajipointed special 
guards, called liitapaJa ^ to see that no one sleeps >o\\ the fourth night. 
They are armed witli jiointed sticks, and whenever they lind a man 
who is overcome with fatigue, or the effects of too repeated indul- 
gences in alcoholic stimulants, t]ie\' j^rod him with these sticks and 
insist upon his getting \v^ and joining the others. No food or sleep 
is permitted until the sun rises on tlie tifth day, and many of the 
Indians sit about anxioush' waiting for the dawn, as they are b}' that 
time tired and hungr\-. On the fourth day a few of the younger 
Indians, desirous of making themselves conspicuous, scratcii tlieir 
chests and bodies until the blood llows freely. 'I'hey then dance 
about, singing their peculiar song. 

SEMINOLE GENS OR CLANS. 

Among tlie Seminole Indians in Florida exist certain tribal organ- 
izations, known as clans or gens, which com]->rise families and their 
unmarried relatives. 

These gens, or clans, are many of them of ancient origin, and in 
some cases are gradually dying out, while several of them have 
already become extinct. They were continued in the female line. 



PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 

The women belonging to the Panther gens having had children, those 
children were Panthers ; bnt a Panther man could not transmit to his 
children the rights of his gen, as they would take their gen from 
their mother. The old warrior chief, Osceola, so well known in 
history, belonged to the Eagle gen, which is now extinct. Of the 
Alligator gen, only Doctor Jim remains ; when he dies it will also 
become extinct. Of the Little Black Snake gen, there remains onh- 
Billv Bow-Legs and Nigger Jim Second, and will become extinct 
with their death. The Bear gen has still several members, Miami 
Jim being one of them. Tom Tiger is one of the big men of the 
Rattlesnake gen. The Wolf gen is restricted to the Big Cypress 
resfion and has manv members. No-cash-a-cho is one of the prin- 
cipal men of that clan. 

The principal gens tliat are still in existence are given below. 
The name of the Lulian which follows is that of one of its well- 
known members. 

Rattlesnake Gen, Tom Tiger. 

Alligator Gen, Dr. Jimmy. Since his death, I believe this is 
extinct. 

Panther Gen, Robert Osceola and Tommy Jiunper (Co-ac-co- 
chee). 

Big Blue Heron Gen, Old Doctor (O-chee-see). 

Little Black Snake Gen, Billy Bow-Legs (Cho-fee-har-cho). 

Bear Gen, Miami Jimmy. 

Wind Gen, Tommy Doctor. 

Otter Gen, John Jumper and Tommy Micco ( Ac-fus-kee). 

Little Yellow Bird Gen, Henry Parker (Co-pic-cha-ha-co). 

Wolf Gen, No-cash-a-cho. 

Frog Gen, Old Tomiu}- ( He-ne-ia-ho-la). 

Little Black-bird, Tom Johnny (E-a-ho-la-chee). 

Wildcat, Little Tiger (Foc-a-luste-ha-cho). 

Deer, Mr. Dennis (E-cho-co-choc-e-nay). 

There were others, including the Crocodile Hal-patah-is po-fuskee 
(meaning sharp-nose alligator), but I believe that is now extinct. 



PREFACE. 



MiTcii of tlu' matter containt-cl in the follow ino- paL;'es was written 
in the field and covers a period of some ten winters in Moritla, a 
great deal of the time being passed in ont-of-the-wav localities while 
stndving the fauna of the State. The illustrations are. with few 
exceptions, from photographs taken by myself: the i:)rincipal ex- 
ceptions being the jihotographs of the tarpon, which were obtained 
through the kindness of Mr. George Mixter, of Iioston. The picture 
of the manatee and the illustrations in the '' Key to the Water I^iirds "' 
are the work of Mr. Edwartl Knobel, of Jjoston. 

The nomenclature and classification used in the Key is that 
adopted by the American Ornithologists' Union. 

I have aimed to make the " Key to the Water IJirds " one 
which would enable a person unfamiliar with bii-ds to identify any 
Florida species without dil]lcult\-. Before using the ke\- the reader 
should carefully read the '* Introtluclion to the Ke\- " and make him- 
self familiar with the terms used in describing birds : the general 
rules for measurements, etc. 

With few exceptions, the spe(.-ies given ha\e been taken or ob- 
served by myself during m^' \arious trips to i'dorida, but se\eral are 
included on the autliorit\' of others, and I ha\e freely availed nnself 
of information obtained from the following works and papers: — 

" History of North American Birds, " by Baird, lirewer, and 
Ridgway : "Manual of North American Birds," b\' Robert Ridg- 
way : " Ke\' to North American Birds."" b\' Elliot Cones: " Birds of 
Eastern North America."" b\' C J. ATaNuard : " Handbook of the lairds 
of Eastern North America.'" b\' F. M. Chapman : '* Notes on the 
Birds of the Caloosahatchee Region of Florida,"" b\ W. K. D. Scott 
(Auk \^ol. IN., pp. 209-2 iS). 



4 PREFACE. 

"On the Mammals and Winter Birds of East Florida," by J. x\. 
Allen (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., II., 1871, pp. 168-185 ); " Catalogue 
of the Mammals of Florida," by C. J. Maynard (l^iill. Essex Inst., 
IV., 1872, pp. 135-148) ; "The Mammals of Florida," by C.J. May- 
nard (Quart. Journ. Bost. Zool. Society, II., 1883, pp. 1-8, 17—24, 
38-43, 49, 50) : " Contributions to the Mammalogy of Florida," by 
Samuel N. Rhoads (Proc. Acad. Nat. Science, Philadelphia, 1894, 
pp. 152-160) ; " A Monograph of the Bats of North America," by 
Harrison Allen, 1893 ; " Remarks on Certain Land Mammals from 
Florida, witli a List of tiie Species Known to Occur in the State," 
by Frank M. Chapman (Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., VI., 1894, pp. 
333-346) : " Km^se Notizen uber die hohere Fauna Floridas," von 
Dr. Einar Lonnberg, Upsala, Sweden, 1894. 

I have also consulted the following works relating to the Florida 
Indians: "The Seminole Indians of Florida," by Clay MacCauley, 
and "Archives of Aboriginal Knowledge," by II. R. Schoolcraft. 

CHARLES B. CORY. 



CONTKNTS. 



PAGE 

Preface 3 

InTRODLU TION 7 

The Seminoi.k Indians. 

Manners and Custonis 9 

( rieen Cdrn Dance '''* 

Clothing and OrnaniLMils 20 

Methcxi of Hunting 24 

lA)catit)n of Villages 3° 

Seminole History 3- 

X'ocabulary 35 

The Florida rAxnU'iR 4' 

A Panthi:r Hi'xt 44 

The Bi,ac k Hear 5° 

Deek ^i 

Al.LK.ATOKS AN'D L'R( )( ( )I )1LI';S. 

Alligators ^'5 

Crocodiles 7° 

TlfRKEVS 73 

Tarpon Fishinc 75 

huntinc; ("/rounds of florida "^^ 

The Mammals of Florida '°9 

Re.marks ON So.ME OF THE Florida Snakfs '-4 

Key TO Tin: Water Birds oi- {'"lokida , '33 

Introduction to Bird Kc\ '35 

Measurements '3*^' 

Olossarv • • ■ ^3^ 



LlSr Ol^^ ILIAISIRA riONS. 



1'ac;f. 

.Si".Mi\oLi'; Camp Firi-: lo 

'I'lii', SoFKi'.i': Si'oox II 

];akk()TAK ISO, " Old CiiakliI''. " 12 

(lART su\-f;-tkl-i:-ki:i;. Koim-.k r ( )s( icola 13 

Moving Camp 15 

Jack Chakluc 21 

Hii,LV r>o\vi.i:(.s 22 

Indian Chii.dkkn 22, 23 

Manatkk 24 

AfTF.R MANATF.i'. 25 

I)OATIX(; 26 

Harpoon 27 

Indian Cami'. Nkw Kixicu 30 

Croup of Indians 31 

Florida I'axtiii:r 41 

John Da\is 43, 97, 103 

DiCAD Paxtiii:k . • 4.S 

1!fA( K liKAK 50 

i'AT AND C.Ai.i:. w 1 J II Ikii', Do( , A X d Tk; i:r 52 

Bi-:ars ." 54i 55 

Rattlrsnaki'; 57 

I)i:i:r 61, 62, 63 

Aflk; \tor 65, 66, 67, 68 

Crocodili-: 70, 71. 72 

Tarpon 76, 77 

The Leap of the Tarih^n 78 



LIST OF IT.IATSTRATIONS. 



" ("lAFFixG " A Tarpon .... 
A " roiXT " ox Quail .... 

Tom 

Ror.iN AXD Pkix( K " PoiXTixr: " O 
Roi'.ix Axo I'luxc !•: .... 
Duck Shootixc with Dkcov.s 

A Big Bag 

Wild Ducks 

Wild Cat Climiung a Trkk 
Wild Cat .... 
After A Wild Cat . 
Large Wild Cat 

Raccoox 

An Unfair FuiHT 

Ol'OSSUM 

A C.RKAT Dav for Kixgfish 
Thornton's Camp, Hillsp.oro Ri\i-:r 

The Old Pu.mp 

The Ed(;e of the Everglades 
A Sand Hill Crane's Nest 
Dead Shark, New River Inlet 
The Miami River Rapids . . 

Miami River 

Rattlesnake arout to Strike 
Rattlesnake Preparing to Strike 
Wai'er P)IRDS of Florida . . . 



79 
80 
<Si 
81 

83. H4 
H5 
86 

86, 87 
88 
89 
90 
90 

91 
92 
92, 123 
93 
94 
95 
96 
98 
99 

lOI 

102 
125 
126 

I 4 1 to 297 



INTRODUCTION. 



My first hunting experience in Florida dates back to the year 
1877, and I have since spent ten winters in the State, much oi the 
time being devoted to exploring out-of-the-way nooks and corners 
which were then visited by but few people, and it was a journe\- of 
several davs to places which, since the advent of railroads, may now 
be reached in as nianv hours. Lake Okeechobee is now no longer 
difficult of access and manv people visit it every year from Kissimmee 
and Fort Myers. From Jacksonville to the Indian River, which but 
a few years ago was a three days' journey, may now be done by rail 
in a few hours. Although Florida is now annually visited by 
thousands instead of hundreds of people, as was the case a few 
years ago, there is still a vast extent of country which is practical!}' 
a wilderness and where game is vet to be found in great abundance ; 
and the magniticent winter climate of Florida adds much to the en- 
joyment of the hunter or fisherman. 

Many there are who look with disfavor upon him who with 
rifle and hound wanders into the wilderness to hunt and kill wild 
animals. To such an one I would say, " Chacqiic 11 11 a son gout c.'' 
If he be a man, with a man's health and strength, his hand steady 
and his eye clear, let him go with me and camp tor a week on the 
bank of some unnamed lake in the Florida wilderness, where the 
panther, bear, and deer wander undisturbed. Let him breathe 
the fresh morning air full of the smell of the pines, and listen to the 
chorus of the hounds as they dash away in full cry on the hot trail 
of something that can tight as well as run. I warrant you his pulse 
will quicken as he forces his way into some thicket where the dogs 
hold a bear or a panther at bay. Perhaps many of us ha\e a trace of 
the savage left in us vet, but I believe the boy who loves the woods 
wall gain much in health and manhood: and it is pleasant to think 



8 INTRODUCTION. 

that when we are s^one those that come after vis may wander where 
we have wandered, ma}^ camp where we have camped, and use the 
gun or the rod as well or better than we have used it. knowing that 
they will go back to their fellows and the cares of life better in mind 
and body for the experience. 

/\s Isaac Walton tells us, it was one of the qualifications that 
Xenophon bestowed on Cyrus, " that he was a hunter of wild beasts," 
and the love of the chase seems to be as strong with many of us 
now as then. As we grow older, however, most of us lose some- 
thing of our desire to kill game. Our love for the woods seems to 
increase rather than diminish and we see many new and beautiful 
things in the wilderness which we did not see when we were younger ; 
but we shrink from killing a bird or mammal unless we actually need 
it for food or study. 

Man}^ a flock of quail or ducks I have watched feeding without 
disturbing them, and many a deer I have stalked, and perhaps photo- 
graphed, and then watched it from my concealment until, discover- 
ing mv presence, it bounded awav unharmed. It should be a rule 
with every true sportsman never to kill more game than can be 
properly used. Of course, with a number of men in camp, what 
appears to be a large bag is often not more than is actually needed 
for food. On several occasions I have made large bags when some 
of the men in camp were going to spend a holiday with their families 
and wished to take home some birds ; but the wanton and useless 
slaughter of game cannot be too strongly condemned. 



THE S1':MINC)L1: INDIANS. 

MANNERS AM) CUSTOMS. 

L\ tlie iiUeriorof Southern Florida, in and about \vhat is known as 
the Everghides, dwell some three or four hundred Indians — all that 
are left in the State of the once powerful trilx' of Seminoles. 

These Indians are still " wild Indians/' that is to say, they receive 
no gifts from the government and are not recognized as citizens. In 
fact, they are in reality - wild," as a rule, and avoid as much as 
possible all intercourse with white men. Occasionally they learn to 
trust and like some white hunter or trader, but the Indian is slow to 
make friends, and w^il] often refuse to answ^er when spoken to by a 
stranger. Contrary to the general idea, the I^^lorida Indian is not 
taciturn, by any means, in his own camp or among old friends. On 
one occasion when I visited Robert Osceola, ^( V//,sy/-/// r/-/r/-r-/vr 
(name meaning " last of the Panthers •'), at his camp on upper New 
River in company wdth several ladies and gentlemen, he received the 
whole party with much cordiality, and at the request of one of the 
hidies, he so far forgot his usual dignified reserve as to give an 
dlustration of how the Indian dances at the celebration of the "Busk," 
or Green Corn Dance. But it must be borne in mind that I had 
known Osceola for a long time (who, by the way, is the grandson of 
the famous war chief of that name), and had passed many days in 
the wilderness in his company when there were no railroads in 
Southern Florida, when the town of Palm Beach did not exist: and 
we built our camp and shot deer on the present site of the town of 
Linton. 

Many of the Seminoles now speak and understand ICnglish very 
well : but they often feign ignorance of the language as an excuse to 
avoid conversation with white men. 

An Indian is a past master in the art of hunting and trailing large 
game, and, of course, they are the best possible guides when one 
can be found willing to act in that capacity. Thev will ilnd and kill 



8 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FT.ORIDA. 



game where the average white hunter would starve. One can always 
recognize an Indian camp by the manner in which he builds his fire. 
A number of logs (the larger the better) are arranged in a circle 
with their ends together, somewhat resembling the spokes of a 




Mr. Dennis. 



Tommy Jumper. 



SEMINOLE INDIANS. 



wheel. The fire is lighted where the ends meet, and the logs are 
gradually pushed inward as their ends are consumed. When the 
fire is no longer needed the logs are drawn apart, but the charred 



THE SEMINOLE INDIANS. 



ends may be easily and quicklj- ignited again when required. Such 
a fire will last a long time and consume comparatively little wood. 
The camp fire is rarely allowed to go out, a pot of sofkee or 




HOM-A-LAI-KKl- 



stewed meat generally being kept warm, especiall\' in a camp where 
there are many children. 

" Sofkee " is a kind of soup made from ground corn or hominy and 
corn mixed. It is eaten with large wooden spoons which the Indians 
manufacture and which are called sofkee spoons. These they hand 



lO 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



from one to the other as they sit about the pot, each drinking a ladleful 
before passing it on to the next. Another favorite food is called 
" kumpty " or " coontie." The " coontie " flour is made from the root 




SEMINOLE CAMP FIRE. 



of a plant which grows in the dry, sandy lands of South Florida and is 
very plentiful in some localities. The root of the plant alone is used. 
This is first carefully peeled and washed, after which it is thrown into a 




THE SEMIX()L]=; INDIANS. II 

large wooden vessel or trough, where it is groviiul and pounded into 
a powder; this powder is then earefully washed, and after repeated 
washing beeonies very white and clean. It 
it is not entirelv free from dirt upon being 
wet it assumes a jiale pinkish color, but if 
thoroughly cleansed it remains perfectly ^„p sofkee-spoon. 

white. Tliis is called " coontie " by the 

Indians, and is prepared much in tlie same manner as we use 
cornstarch or arrowroot. It is sometimes mixed with wheat Hour 
and made into cakes, which when fried are very palatable. The 
seeds of the kiimpty plant are contained in a cone having the 
o-eneral appearance of a pine cone about to si')rout. They resem- 
ble kernels of corn, but are larger and flatter and of an orange-red 
color. 

The Indian does little in the way of farming. lie clears small 
hummocks and plants corn, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and some- 
times raises a little maize ; in some of the camps he has bananas 
growing and a few orange or lemon trees, but, as a rule, he raises 
barely enough to supply himself and family a part of the year. 

I have been unable to learn an^^thing definite of the Indian laws 
regarding punishment of crime. That they do have such laws is 
known. Years ago Old Charlie was condemned to have the upper 
portion of his ears cut off and was banished for one year from the 
tribe under penalty of death if he returned. Pie is one of the nicest 
old Inchans of the lot, but lost his ears for "talking too much," as 
the Indians say. 

Upon the death of an Indian the body is clothed in a new shirt, 
and usually a handkerchief is tied around the neck and a new turban 
put about the head. Sometimes the face is painted, usually w^ith a 
round spot on each cheek. A piece of burnt wood is placed in the 
left hand and a bow and one arrow is usually buried with him. 
When the place for burial is selected the ground is prepared in the 
following manner: A floor of palmetto logs is built some seven feet 
long by three feet wide, over wdiich a roof of palmetto leaves is con- 
structed. The body is placed in this small house, the feet, it is 



12 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



claimed, being always placed toward the East. The body is usually 
wrapped in a blanket and covered with logs, forming a kind of box 
with the palmetto leaf roof over it. A tire is built at the end of the 

tomb, which is renewed 
at sunset for three days, 
and lighted torches waved 
about for a few moments 
to frighten away the 
" bad birds." After the 
third day the fires are 
allowed to go out. 

In talking with Old 
Charlie a n d Osceola 
about the mounds which 
are so common in Flor- 
ida, I asked who made 
them, and they answered, 
" Injuns all dead. One 
old chief tell me long time 
'go, Injuns came in canoe, 
eat oysters, play ball." 

Old Charlie said the 
Indians were not Semi- 
noles. 

Most of the Indians 
have but one wife, but 
two at least. Old Charlie 
and Old Doctor, have 
two. I have been told 
that Old Doctor was pre- 
sented with a second wife by his tribe, in recognition of his ser- 
vices to his brother Indians in killintj a ne^ro half-breed named 
Nigger Jim. 

This half-breed came back to his tribe and demanded in marriage 
one of the Indian girls. It is claimed that, upon being refused, he 




BAKKOTARTSO. "OLD CHARLIE." 



Till-: sicMixoij-: ixdians. 



immediately shot several persons, incliulino- a woman. This was 
objected to by Old Doctor, who hapjx'ned to be present, and he in 
turn shot Billy, killing him instantly. 

Indians rarely talk mnch and do not like to answer questions. It 




(;art-sum-k-tf.l-k-kkk. KOUKKT CISCKOLA. 



is only after being for some time in their company and gaining their 
contidence that they will talk freely al-)out anything connected \vith 
themselves. 

The Indians tan the skins of the animals which they kill by 



14 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

carefully scraping them and working them in their hands until they 
become soft and pliable. They also use the brains of the animal for 
softening and curing the skin. 

The lejjirinjxs which thev wear are sometimes dyed a very rich 
mahogany brown by soaking the skin in an infusion of mangrove 
bark. The bark is boiled for several hours ; the skin is then im- 
mersed in the liquid for half an hour. It is then taken out and dried 
in the sun until it is merely moist, although it will not do to let it get 
entirely dry. It is then immersed a second time for about half an 
hour, and upon being taken out and dried it is ready for use. 

The brain-tanned skin, which has not been dyed, becomes very 
hard and stiff when wet unless it is continually worked over and kept 
soft by manipulation, but skins which have been prepared by tan- 
ning with mangrove bark are very little affected by rain, and make 
very pretty leggings and moccasins. 

It is rare that the Seminoles ornament their moccasins with beads, 
and I have seen but two pairs of moccasins made in this manner : 
one I procured from Old Doctor, who brought them into Lantana 
just as I was coming out from a hunting expedition. The old man 
was anxious to dispose of them to get money to buy whisky. They 
were neatly ornamented with lines of beads. 

Old Doctor was one of the Indians that took part in the last war. 
He is still hale and hearty and does not like a white man any better 
than he ever did. 

I have asked a number of Indians regarding their antidote for 
snake poison, and have been told by two or three different ones with 
whom I was well acquainted that they had no antidote for the bite of 
the rattlesnake. Both Osceola and Old Charlie had no reason for 
deceiving me, as they told me many things about their manners and 
customs, and often evinced their good feelings toward me by making 
me presents of sweet potatoes, eggs, and venison. 

Osceola's wife was once bitten by a moccasin, and I am told that the 
wound did not heal for nearly a year, and at times she was troubled 
with fever, which may or may not have been the result of the bite. 

At many of the camps the Indians now keep hens and pigs. In 



Till-: Si:.MlNOLK INDIANS, 



15 



movinj^ from one camp to another they take the pigs about with 
them. 

One or two of the Indians have an old wagon and some very 
diminutive horses. Oseeohi has two perfectly white horses, strong, 
hardy little animals, wliich draw about an old wagon when he mo\'es 
from place to place. Usually, the squaws and pappooses ride in the 
wagon, while the men walk, and the pigs are tied underneath or else 
led by a squaw. 

It was at one time customary for hunting parties to wander some 
distance to the north and to the south of their ]')resent settlements, and 




MOVINC. CAMP. 



the remains of old Indian camps ma\' be found to the extreme south- 
east point of Florida : but none were observed on the southwest por- 
tion of the State below White Water i>ay. 

The costume of an Indian in camjt usually consists of a cotton 



l6 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

shirt. The women wear a cotton dress embroidered with many 
pieces of colored calico. The young children run about naked until 
thev arrive at the age of eight or ten years, when they are given a 
cotton shirt. Sometimes the small children wear some sort of 
covering durinp" the cold weather. 

The Indians visit each other a great deal. Many of those living 
on New River go to the Big Cypress every year, usually to attend 
the Green Corn Dance and visit their relatives. 

GREEN CORN DANCE. 

The annual festival known as the Green Corn Dance is still ob- 
served by the Indians, but it is not conducted with the same cere- 
mony as in bygone years. 

In the old days the Green Corn Dance or " Busk" was an occa- 
sion of great importance with the Creek tribe. It then occupied 
seven or eight days, but is now reduced to four or at most five days. 

It takes place during the second week in June or during the " little 
moon in June," as the Indians say. 

It is ver}^ difficult to obtain from the Indians a description of this 
dance. From time to time they would answer a few questions, but 
if pressed for information they immediatelv become reticent. The 
dance usually lasts four days, according to the statement of most of 
tlie Indians, although some claim that it is decided by the medi- 
cine man whether it shall last four or live days. Two weeks 
previous to the day of the dance notice is sent by Indian messengers 
to the different clans and villages stating the date of the ceremony. 
They keep account of the days which intervene by hanging up a 
number of small sticks representing the days, and one is taken down 
each day. When the last one is thrown away they repair to the 
point selected for the feast. 

On the e\'ening of the first day the ceremonv of taking the " black 
drink '" occurs. It is believed that unless one drinks of this he will 
be " sick " after eating the green corn. It is not as careful! v carried 
out as in the old da^^s, and I do not understand that the tire is now 



THK SKAriNOLE INDIANS. I7 

lighted by rubbing two sticks together. At the present time the fire 
is started by the medicine man, and the squaws are not allowed 
to come near the fire, which is still reserved, as in ancient days, 
tor the warriors who drink the black drink. 

In building this fire they place the sticks pointed to the four points 
of the compass, and, in fact, the Indians at all times arrange tiieir 
logs by placing all the ends together, somewhat resembling the 
spokes of a wheel, which is probably a traditional method of build- 
ing a fire, possibly originated by the ceremony of the (ireen Corn 
Dance or Busk. 

The Indian women attach several turtle shells tilletl with round, 
black seeds to their legs. While the dancing goes on the 
women stamp about, rattling these shells, keeping time with the 
dancers. 

I have never seen a white man wlio has attended a Green Corn 
Dance, but I have been told there are several who have done so, 
although it is claimed they have not been allowed to remain during 
the entire celebration. The dance usually lasts from four to five 
days. The first day they do a great deal of dancing, which is car- 
ried on far into the night. When one Indian becomes fn-ed another 
takes his place, and sometimes a half a dozen or more dance together. 
After this the dancing is intermittent. The second dav tlie young 
men go out and bring in game for the feast ; the third and fourth 
days are spent in feasting and drinking. This is the official pro- 
gram, but I am afraid the affair is not alwa\'s conducted according 
to established custom, as nowadays the white man's whisky plays an 
important part in- the celebration. This is totally at variance with 
the ancient custom as practised by the Indians a century ago, when 
the dancing and jollit\- did not commence until the fourth day. 

In those days things were decidedly different and the affair was 
conducted with great ceremony. All offenses were forgiven on the 
occasion of this festival, wdiich took place early in August instead 
of June, as it does now (perhaps on account of the countr\' inhabited 
by the tribe being so much farther north and the corn ripening 
later J. On the morning of the first day the medicine man, dressed 



l8 HUNTING AND FISHING IN ILORIDA. 

with white leather moccasins and leggings and a white deerskin 
on his shoulders, went at daybreak to the center of the village and 
started a fire, which he did onl}- after considerable difficulty, by 
rubbing two dr^' sticks together. Four young men then approached 
from the four corners of the square, each carrying an oak log. 
They advanced towards the fire with great ceremou}-, and deposited 
their logs end to end, pointed to the four points of the compass. 
After these logs had become well ignited four other j'oung men 
came forward, each carrving an ear of new corn, which the medi- 
cine man took from them and placed upon the fire, wliere they were 
consumed. Then four other 3'oung men approached carrying a 
quantity t)t' the " cassina "' plant, from which the black drink is 
manufactured. Some of the leaves were placed on the fire and 
consumed, after which the remainder was immediatelv dried and 
cooked for use. 

The warriors and other males of tlie tribe having assembled, they 
proceeded to drink the black drink in the usual manner. During 
the first day's ceremony no women were allowed to approach the 
fire, and it is a question whether they were allowed admittance on 
the second or third days.* The third day was spent by the young 
men in hunting and fishing. On the fourth day the whole town 
assembled, including men, women, and children, and the game 
killed on the previous day was cooked and served for a great feast, 
and the day was spent in eating, drinking, and dancing. Large 
pots of sofkee were placed about and a wooden spoon was constantly 
at its side so that any one wishing to partake of it could do so. 
The method of making sofkee in the old days was to boil a quantity of 
pounded corn until it formed a soup of the consistency of rather tliin 
gruel ; to this was added a small quantitv of lees made from ashes of 
hickory wood. The soup thus made kept for several days in cov- 
ered pots. At the present time sofkee is made of boiled corn 
and hominy, without the addition of the lees made from hickorv 
wood. The Indians squat about the kettle, each one drinking 
a spoonfvd of the mixture in tvn-n, using the same large wooden 
spoon. 

*This is incorrect. See Preface to Seiond Edition. 



TIIIC SKMIXOIJ.; INDIANS. jg 

The -black drink "was made Iro.n a shrub f„und in (;e(.r<ria 
and Carohna, and Northern h^orichu which is called rass7;;a. 
Ihe leaves were collected and boiled over a lire : thev were then 
poured from one pan to another until ier.nentation "took place 
when It was considered ready for use. In ancient times it was a 
custom of the Indians during this celebration to seat themsehes in a 
cn-cle around the l^re, and three youn<r men handed gourds full of 
tlie black drink to three of the greatest chiefs present. The young 
men then stepped back a few paces and uttered what was known as 
the black drink cry, first exclaiming loudlv the word - choh " \t 
this signal the three chiefs drank from the" huge gourds, the youncr 
men uttering the wailing note, and the chiefs drank until the note 
ended. The gourds were then taken from the mouths of the war- 
riors and the young men handed them to the chiefs next in rank 
pronouncing the word - choh,'' but the cry of the black drink was 
not uttered, as none were entitled to this distinction except those 
highest in power. After drinking the concoction the warriors dis- 
gorged it, and we are told that it was considered praisewortlu' to be 
able to do this gracefully. 

The Indians are warned by their medicine men not to eat corn 
until after the celebration of the Green Corn Dance. 

William Freeman, of Litde River, who has lived near the Indians 
for many years, told me how, on one occasion, Dr. Tiger w^as at his 
house when he had green corn for dinner : it was some^veeks before 
the Green Corn Dance was to take place, and Dr. Tiger looked 
wistfully at the corn and asked, - You eat green corn novv'r " Free- 
man answ^ered, " Me like corn plenty now." 

Tiger went on wath his meal, but did not eat any corn, although 
he seemed troubled about something. At last he told Freeman tirat 
the Indians were warned by their medicine men not to eat green corn 
before the annual celebration, as it would make them illt - Make 
Indian sick," as he expressed it. 

It seems, according to Tiger^s statement, that some of the scpiaws 
and children ha\e eaten green corn before the dance, but the men 
never eat it. 



20 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



I am not certain that this is true, as I have been told by other 
Indians that they ate corn whenever it was ripe. I have asked many 
Indians about this, but they dishke being questioned regarding their 
customs, and one is never sure that they are telHng the truth in such 

matters. 

Freeman was under the impression that Dr. Tiger might take a 
nibble somewhat earlier than his comrades in future. 

The new year commenced with the Creeks after the celebration of 
the cn-een corn dance, or, at least, this was a custom when they 
inhabited Alabama and Georgia, as August was considered the first 
month of the year. At present it is doubtful if they have made any 
change in their yearly calendar, although the green corn dance 
takes place earlier. They divide their year into two seasons, 
summer and winter, and they then divide these into moons as 
follows : — 



August . 

September 

October 

November 

December 

January 



Februar\ 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 



Heyothlucco . 

Otauwooskochee 

Otauwooskolucco 

Heewoolee 

Thlaffolucco . 

Thlaffochosee 

Hootahlahassee . 
Tausautchoosee . 
Tausautcheelucco 
Keehassee 
Kochohassee . 
Hoveuchee 



Big Ripening Moon. 
Little Chestnut Moon. 
BUjr Chestnut Moon. 
Falling Leaf Moon. 
Big Winter Moon. 
Little Winter Moon, alias Big 
Winter Moon's young brother. 
Windy Moon. 
Little Spring Moon. 
Big Spring Moon. 
Mulberry Moon. 
Blackbeny Moon. 
Little Ripening Moon. 



CLOTHING AND ORNAMENTS, 



The costume of a Seminole Indian usually consists of a turban, a 
breech cloth, a calico shirt, and a neckerchief. This is the usual 
costume worn by them when in their own camp and among their 
own people ; but when they visit the white man's town they add two 



THE SEMINOLE INDIANS. 



21 



or three cravats and sometimes pantaloons as well, but as a rule 
thev cover their leo,"s with deerskin lei^j^ings of their own manu- 
facture. The}^ also wear a watch chain and numerous safetv pins 
fastened to their shirts, but I ha\e never yet seen one carry a watch. 
Their turban is made of a woolen shawl, sometimes covered with a 
piece of calico and even silk when thev wish to be particularly i^or- 
geous in their attire. 
On one occasion I 
saw an Indian by 
the name of Billy 
Bowlegs wearing a 
turban encircled by 
a band of m e t a 1 
( probably tin ) . The 
older Indians usu- 
ally wear a r e d 
woolen turban made 
by winding a shawl 
around their heads, 
which the}' fasten 
by tucking the ends 
skilfully away be- 
neath the folds with- 
out the use of pins. 
As a rule they do 
not wear a turban 
w h e n h ii n t i n g. 
They sometimes 
wear moccasins in 
camp, and they al- 
ways wear them when visiting a white man's town. Tiiey rarely wear 
any of the white man's clothing in their own camps, as the older 
Indians are prejudiced against having an}^ of the younger ones asso- 
ciate with white people or adopt their customs. 

The costume of the women consists of a cotton or calico skirt and 




JACK CHAKI.IK. 



22 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 




BILLY KOWLF.r.S. 



waist. The waist merely reaches below the 
breast, leaving a portion of the stomach bare. 
In most cases these dresses are more or less 
ornamented by sewing on pieces of calico of 
different colors. The women do not wear 
moccasins. Young girls, up to the age of 
eight or nine years, wear only a skirt, being 
nude above the waist, w^iile the bo3'S wear a 
shirt only. Younger children go about naked 
in the camps, but at the present time they 
often put on little cotton shirts, if they happen 
to be in the vicinity of the white settlements. 

As soon as they get into camp, however, off come the clothes and 

the youngsters run about in a state of nature. Many of the men 

shave their heads, leaving only a scalp-lock and a little bang of hair 

on the forehead, but 

this custom is not 

always followed by 

the y o u n g e r In- 
dians. 

The women wear 

great quantities of 

beads wdiich the}' 

hang in strings 

about their necks, 

and the weight of 

these must be very 

great. The women 

also wear round 

pieces of silver 

made from dimes 

and quarters ham- 
mered very thin. 

These they fasten 

to the breast of 




INDLAN CHILDREN. 



'I'm-; SICMIXOIJC INDIANS. 



23 



their dress. They also wear half dollars and dollars hun;^ in the 
same manner, but those are not hammered. Oecasionally, thou<5Ji 
rarelv, thev make ^■ery thin lariije discs of hammered silver, wliich 
are worn bv the women over the breasts, one on each side. 1 he 
men do not paint their faces, but occasionally wear ornaments when 




visiting a white man"s camp or going to a town on a trading expedi- 
tion. I am told they sometimes paint their faces during the cere- 
mony of the Green Corn Dance, but was unable to get any detinite 
information on this subject. Sometimes the men wear bracelets of 
silver, but it is not a verv common custom, as 1 have never seen but 



2,1 HUNTIXi; and fishing in FLORIDA. 

one Indian adorned in this manner. It is probable that most of 
their ornaments are kept in safe places to be used only on "state 
occasions." 

METHODS OF HUNTING. 

During the spring the manatees enter the rivers to feed on the 
"manatee" grass, and, as some writers claim, the leaves of the 
mangrove trees. They are abundant in the bays and rivers all along 



^' 




(Dr.nnihij ICilir.in! Kmih,!.) 



the west and east coasts of Southern Florida. At one time the St. 
Lucie River was a noted place for them. In New River the man- 
atee is still common, and they are numerous at times in the lower 
j-iart of Biscay ne Bay and on the west coast south of Charlotte 
Harbor. They live equally in salt or fresh water, and while with 
the Indians on one of their manatee hunts I have seen half a dozen 
rising to the surface of the ocean at one time, over a quarter of a 
mile from shore. 

Many of these animals are killed by the Indians every year. 
They hunt them in canoes, sometimes in the rivers, and again m 
the ocean, but usually near the mouth of some river. 

These animals come to the surface every few minutes to breathe, 
and their heads may be seen as they appear for a moment above the 
surface of the water. 



Tllli SKAIIXO],],: INDIANS. 



25 



I liave otten accompanied Osceola and other Indians on a manatee 
hunt o± this kind. They harpoon them as they rise to the surtace, 
usin-r a steel ponit barbed <.n one side, attached to the end of a lon<r 
pole. To the steel point is fastened a stron<r cord, whicli in turn i" 
attached to a float. Upon being strnck the manatee sinks at once, 
but the dn-ection in which he moves is indicated bv the float. The 




^^t 



AFTER MA.XATEK. 

Indians follow the iloat as closely as possible and watch for him to 
rise to the surface, when they shoot him through the head, and the 
huge animal is then towed to the shore. It requires considerable 
skill as well as strength to drive the harpoon through the thick, 
tough hide. Many of these animals grow to a very large size, and 
It is claimed that some of them have been taken \vhich exceeded 
twelve feet in length. 

One day, while talking with Old Charlie and his squaw at his 
camp on the north bank of New River, he dre^v mv attention to a 
long brown object which was mo\-ing slowly up the stream a few 



26 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



inches beneath the surface of the water. It was about twenty 
feet from the bank, and Old CharHe whispered to me that it 
was a manatee. Getting into my canoe I paddled gently after him, 
but as I did so an exclamation from Old Charlie caused me 
to turn, and there, just below me, was another manatee larger 
than the tirst. I whispered to Pat to keep the boat as still as 
possible, and in another moment the huge creature passed di- 
rectly under us, not two feet beneath the surface, and so clear was 
the water that the coarse hairs on his brown skin were distinctly 




visible. He appeared to be at least ten feet long, and, although 
I wanted that particular manatee very much, as I had no harpoon 
in the boat, I could only sit and watch him slowly move up the 
river, where he undoubtedl}' joined his companion who had preceded 
him. 

The Indians are \-ery fond of the flesh of this animal, which 
somewhat resembles coarse beef, and what they do not use them- 
selves they readil}' sell to the white settlers. 

The manatee is a very timid creature, and the least sound, such 



TIIK SICMIXOLK INDIANS. 



27 



as an oar striking against the side of the boat will cause him to 
sink and swim away at once. 

The Indians kill a great many alligators for the purpose of sell- 
ing their skins to traders. As a rule, they " tire-hunt" them al 
night. The alligator lying with his t-ves 
out of the water does not ajipear to be 
afraid of the light which is rellected in 
his eye, having the appearance of a hari-oon. 

brilliant candle llame, and may be seen 

from a considerable distance. The Indian paddling in his canoe 
approaches within a few feet of the animal and easily shoots 
him through the head, after which he is speared and towed to the 
shore. 

Of late years alligators ha\e become comparatively scarce and it 
no longer pays professional hunters to kill them as a business, 
although they are still numerous in manv places in the interior. 
Indians, as a rule, do not like to hunt far from their canoes or 
ponies, although they are good walkers, and, if occasion requires, 
will cover long distances on foot. 

The Indians are very fond of bear meat and extract an oil from 
the fat which the}' prize highly. Whenever a bear is discovered a 
hunting party is immediately organized and the animal is tracked 
to his hiding place, surnnmded and killed. 

When deer hunting the Indians divide into small parties, two or 
three bucks hunting together, taking with them their squaws and 
children. They select a part of the country where deer are known 
to be plenty and nsually succeed in killing a great many. When in 
the vicinity of a white settlement they lind a ready market for their 
venison and what they do not sell is smoked and dried for future' 
use : dried venison will keep very well, but it is tough and unpal- 
atable. 

During the planting season both the men and women work in the 
field, but when on a hunting expedition the women do all the camp 
work. I'lu' men, when not hunting, lie about the camji taking it 
easy. Upon reaching a new camping jilace the men lake liu-ir rilles 



28 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

and immediately go off hunting while the squaws are preparing the 
camp. 

They hunt in the morning and evening, returning to camp before 
noon unless they have been unsuccessful in tinding game, when the}^ 
sometimes tramp about the woods all day. 

On these hunting excursions he wears nothing but a cotton shirt 
unless it is a very rough country, when he sometimes wears leggings 
made of soft leather. He rarely wears his turban except in the 
very hottest weather. 

The Indians are very skilful hunters, although they seldom use 
dogs, in spite of the fact that they always have a lot of curs about 
their camps. They hunt deer in the manner known as " still hunt- 
ing," walking about the woods morning and evening, moving 
cautiously and silently through the underbrush in a manner peculiar 
to a ghost or an Indian, constantly peering about in all directions for 
the deer, which they hope to find feeding. Ver}' few white men are 
able to kill deer successfully by still hunting, yet the Indian rarely 
hunts in any other way. Trained in woodcraft from childhood, he 
moves slowly along, stopping every few yards to look about, raising 
his head slowly and cautiously above some chunp of bushes. His eye 
being trained for such work, he is able to see game in places where 
it would be practically invisible to the eye of the ordinary hunter. 

When trailing a bear or a panther an Indian can often follow 
the track without difficulty in places where a person not used to 
the w^oods would be unable to distinguish any mark whatever. 
One of the difficulties experienced by non-professional hunters 
is to distinguish between a freshly made track and one two or 
three days old. In damp sand and in shaded places where the 
sun's rays do not penetrate this is often very difficult to do. An 
animal walking on sandy land when it is damp with dew will 
press small straws and sticks into it, which, when they rise again, 
carr}' with them numerous particles of damp sand which will 
still adhere to them when dry. This, of course, is an almost 
positive indication that the track has been made after the dew 
had fallen ; but when the track is made in shady places and the 



Tin-: si^Mixoi.i.: Indians. 29 

ground remains damp tor a week at a time e\'en professional 
hunters will sometimes be at fault. 

The Indians burn the country e\"erv sprini;" in a most reckless 
manner, destroving great ipiantities of timber. 1 hey set the dry 
grass on tire, so that, by destro}'ing the old grass, the new, fresh 
shoots coming up attract the deer and turkeys which are generally 
found on such places. Besides this, the grountl being burned off 
renders still-hunting nuich more easy, for the game can then be so 
much more readily seen. The Indians are splendid hunters, but few 
of them can beat a white man shooting at a mark. 

I haye seen Osceola kill a deer while running at fidl speed, nearly 
a hundred yards distant : I ha\e also seen him drop two deer, one 
after the other, before the second one had time to run, and on 
another occasion I saw him miss a fox-squirrel on the top of a tree 
three times in succession. 

Wolves are not uncommon in the southwestern portion of Florida, 
from the Big Cypress Swamp southward. Osceola (Gart-sum-a-tel- 
e-kee) told me that last year he found an old female wolf with two 
cubs a little way south of his camp on the Big Cyjiress. Both 
cubs, as well as the old one, were black. He shot the mother, 
which he claimed growled and acted yery much as a dog would do. 
He caught the 3'oung cubs aliye and carried them to camp, but they 
would eat nothincr, and after two or three days he killed them : as 
he described it, " Me bang um heads against a tree." 

Old Charlie, whose name is Barfotartso, told me that he had 
heard of large bears beyond the Big Cypress. He said, " One 
yvdiite man he tell me see big bear, white on breast," but that he had 
never seen one himself, and he did not know if the story were true. 
He also told me of a large bat which occurs in Florida, and which, 
judging from his descripdon, was a species not yet recorded from 
the State, and which would probably spread two feet or more. He 
also told me of a black panther which had been killed by the Indians 
some years ago. In all probability this was nothing more than a 
melanistic example of the common form. 

Old Charlie spoke of some very large alligators which he had seen, 



30 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



but said, " The}' all gone." According to his statement, when he 
was a boy game was very abundant in the country about the Cypress 
Creek and Hillsboro River. Bears were numerous at that time, but 
nowadays it is rare to hnd one in that country. Deer are still abund- 
ant, but' Old Charlie says they are much less so than formerly. 

In the Big Cypress Swamp and in some localities near Lake 
Okeechobee paroquets are numerous. I have seen flocks near 
Cypress Creek, and killed a number of specimens last winter near 
Snook Creek. At one time they were abundant on the Kis- 
simmee River, but are so no longer. Paroquets build their nest in 
holes in trees, as a rule, and the Indians wait till the young are half 
grown, and then, during the absence of the old birds, they cut the 
Tree nearly through : the next night, watching their chance, they 
fell the tree quicklv with one or two blows of the axe and catch the 
birds in the hole before they have time to escape. 

LOCATION OF VILLAGES. 

There are five principal settlements of Florida Indians. These 
are situated, (i ) in the Big Cypress, southwest of Okeechobee, (2> 




INDIAN CAMP, NEW RIVER. 



Tin-: SIIMINOIJ'; INDIAN'S. 



31 



near Miami River, (3) on Fish Ealing Creek, northwest of Lake 
Okeechobee. (4) on Cow Creek, northeast of Okeechobee, and 
(5) at Cat Fish Lake. There are a number of families who ha\e 
temporary camps in other locahlies, and some few Inchans have 
what they call their permanent camps outside of these xillages, 
there being, I am told, several Indians liviuir on the islands in 




tlie Everglades, and four or tive families liave camps on New 
River: but nearlv all of these have camps elsewhere as well. The 
number of Seminole Indians in Florida is variouslv estimated as 
from 250 to 350, and it is possible the}- may exceed that number. 
Many of the Okeechobee Indians are descendants of the Creeks 
or Muskogees, as the language spoken there seems to be of that 



33 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

tribe. The language spoken by the Miami Indians is somewhat 
different. 

The chief seat of government is located at Fish Eating Creek, and 
at this camp resides Hospataki and Tustanugge, who are chiefs of 
note, although, as I understand it, there has been no regularly 
recoo-nized head chief among the Seminole Indians since the death 
of Tiger Tail. It was customary in the old da3's to have the chieftain- 
ship descend in the female line, but this is not so at present, and if 
a chief is now elected it is done by the council. 

SEMINOLE HISTORY. 

There is a tradition handed down from one generation to another 
among the Indians to the effect that a very long time ago some 
wandering bands of Indians came from the northwest, and, finding 
the country fertile and filled with game, they settled in the country 
of the then powerful tribes of Florida and Appalachian Indians. 
They were received in a friendly manner and for many years lived 
on good terms with their neighbors, but later, when their numbers 
had increased, the}^ made war upon the Appalachians and succeeded 
in destroying that tribe early in the eighteenth century. These 
Indians, who belonged to the Creek or Muskogee tribe, became 
famous for their w^arlike abilities. They extended west to the Ala- 
bama River, and east throughout Georgia and Northern Florida. 
The}' conquered the Alabama nation who inhabited the country near 
the Alabama River ; but later restored to them their lands upon the 
Alabamians becoming a part of the Creek nation. 

At this time various wandering bands settled in Florida, most of 
them being descendants of the Creeks or Muskogees. These were 
known as Seminoles or "lost men." The Indians now known as 
Seminoles in Florida are principally descendants of the Muskogee or 
Creek nation, but there are a few individuals descended from the 
Mickasaukies, Uchees, and Choctaws. 

In the year 1835 commenced what is known as the Seminole War. 
In the vear 1832 a treaty had been made with the Creeks or Semi- 



THI-: SKMINO]J<: INDIANS. 33 

noles (at Banes' Laiulinir on the Ochlawaha) bv which the^' ceded 
their lands which they held in Florida in consideration of the pa\- 
ment to them of an annuity of $15,400, and the\' a^jreed to send a 
delegation of chiefs to see the country offered them west of the 
Mississippi River to which they had agreed to emigrate. It was 
stipulated in the treaty that the cost of emigration should be paid for 
b}"- the United States. All cattle owned by the Indians were to be 
estimated and paid for, and ]')ro\ision made that eacli person on 
reaching the new location should receive a blanket, a homespun 
frock, and an additional annuity of three hundred dollars per \'ear 
for tifteen years was to be divided among them, besides other minor 
considerations, such as claims for runaway shues, and the services 
of a blacksmith, etc. 

It was agreed that they were to remove within three years. The 
Seminoles living north of the boundary line (designated b}' Camp 
Moultrie) began to move west, and a few bands continued to emi- 
grate until 1835, when the balance refused positively to go at all. 

This year marked the commencement of what is known as the 
Seminole War. The Indians burned a bridge within six miles of 
Fort Brook, on Tampa Bay, and killed a mail-carrier in x\ugust 
of that 3'ear. Charles Emathla, an Indian chief, who was one of 
those friendh' to the emigration movement, had been killed, and 
chiefs Little Cloud and Alligator, with their bands, attacked and 
nearly destroyed Major Dade's company at a place about iifty-tive 
miles south of Tampa Bay, Major Dade being among the killed. 
The party consisted of 114 men, 112 of whom were killed. It was 
at this time that Osceola tirst became prominent in directing the 
movements of the Indians. 

Robert Osceola and Charlie Osceola (of the Big Cypress) are 
descendants of that celebrated chief. Some of the old Indians are 
still alive who took part in that w^ar. In speaking to Old Charlie 
(not Charlie Osceola) about Osceola he did not know at tirst wdio 
I meant, but upon my asking him if he had heard of Powell he 
immediately answered, " Uncar : me know, great man." 

The older Indians believe to this day that General Harney granted 



34 HL'NTIX(J AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

them the Everghides to Hve in forever, and they do not feel kindly 
towards the white men who are gradually penetrating further and 
further into what they consider to be their domain. 

The names of the following war chiefs, of whom I have given a 
brief biography, are remembered by many of the present generation 
of Florida Indians. 

OSCEOLA, war chief of the Seminole tribe. He was born about 
the year 1803, and was the son of an English trader named Powell, 
his mother being a daughter of a Seminole chief. He was also 
called Assini Yahola and Powell, which was the surname of the 
white man who married his mother. Osceola signifies the rising 
sun. The grandfather of Osceola w^as a Scotchman who married a 
Creek woman : his father, therefore, was a half-breed, but his 
mother was a Creek woman of pure blood. He was born on the 
Tallapoosa River between the years 1800 and 1806. He was noted 
as a ball-player and hunter and for running and wrestling. At the 
time of the Seminole War he was not as great a chief as Jumper, 
Holata Mico, or Coa Hajo, or Holato Mico, or Red Stick, but rose 
to prominence during the Indian hostilities. Osceola soon became 
one of the leading chiefs on account of his activity and success in 
the Indian War. He had two wives, both of them young. It is 
claimed he was taken prisoner at last by treachery while holding a 
conference under a flag of truce, and died of inflammation of the 
throat in 1838, while confined at Sullivan's Island as a prisoner 
of war. 

NEAMATHLA was by birth a Creek, and was at one time the 
most distinguished chief in the Seminole tribe. Neamathla returned 
to the Creeks about the 3'ear 1826, and sat in council with them in 
1827. Poke Luste Hajo was at that time one of the principal 
Florida chiefs. He was one of the seven who was appointed to 
visit and explore the country offered to the Seminoles west of the 
Mississippi. His associates were Holata Amathla, Jumper, Charlie 
Amathla, Coa Hajo Arpiucki, and Yaha Hajo. He was friendly 
to the whites, and in 1835, '^^ the declaration of war, he was warned 
to leave the countrv bv the other Indians. Hola x\mathla, Otulke 



nil-: SICMINOI.E INDIANS. 35 

Amathla, Foke Luste Hajo, Conhathee Mico, and Foshutchee Mico 
fled to Fort Brook and encamped under tlie protection of the <funs. 
CHITTEE YOHOLO, a Seminole chief of note. He was a 
vouni;" man at the time of the Seminole War, hut, hein^' a \enture- 
some warrior, he soon rose to prominence and recei\ed honors from 
his trihe. He was given several names. After killing his first 
white man he was called Chewastv Emathla. After he had killed 
several white men and received several names in succession he was 
christened Olocta Tustennugge. He afterwards emigrated to 
Arkansas. 

LANGUAGE. 

The two principal languages spoken hy the Indians now resident 
in Florida are known as Okeechobee and Miami. The}' are quite 
different, although many of the Indians speak both languages. That 
spoken by Robert Osceola, Old Charlie, Tom Tiger, and the other 
New River Indians is the Okeechobee dialect, and is undoubtedly 
modified Creek or Muskogee. I was unable to learn what language 
is spoken bv the Miami Indians, but it is quite different. The 
majority of the words which I have included in the following vocab- 
ulary have been obtained through conversations with Robert Osceola 
(Gart-sum-a-tel-e-kee) and other Indians w^ith whom I have hunted. 

VOCABULARY. 

An Indian Estee-sar-tsee. 

White man Estee-hat-kee. 

Negro Estee-lustee. 

Man Estee. 

Woman Hock-tee. 

Child Es-to-chee. 

Scalp E-kah-hal-pee. 

Tooth Nut-tee. 

Hand In-kee. 

Le<»" Ilats-ka-wah. 



o5 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

Foot E-lee. 

Stomach Im-pas-sah. 

Town To-lo-fa. 

ChiQi Micco : or See-a-pah-ya. 

W^i-i-ior Tus-ka-nuk-kee hib-otskee. 

Friend His-see. 

Enemy Ho-thlee. 

Kettle ...... Alk-us-wah. 

^^ Pa-chos-wah. 

Hatchet Po-chos-wo-chee. 

Qyn Klack-o-push-kee-mif sea ; also Ayt- 

sah. 

Rifl^ I-oke-iinegay ; also aytsah-sa-tah- 

hee. 

Knife Slof-ka. 

Boat Pith-lo. 

p,^(^(^lg Is-kahf-ko-chee. 

Lec-ging Huf-fa-tick-ka. 

Qq^I Ai-o-kof-kee-tah. 

Q^Yxli-t Ai-o-kof-ke-ko-chockonnee. 

Headdress E-ka-sim-enah-hits-ka. 

Moccasin Ist-e-lee-pik-kah. 

Tobacco pipe .... E-chee-pok-wah. 

Tobacco E-chee. 

Beads Lo-nup. 

White beads .... Lo-nup-hat-kee. 

Sun Hassee. 

Night Nith-lee. 

Morning Hat-ah-yat-kee. 

Summer Mis-kee. 

Winter Thla-fo. 

Wind Ho-tallee. 

Rain Os-kay. 

pij-g Tot-ka ; or Toad-ka. 

Water O-ee-wah. 



TIIK SEMINOLh: INDIANS. 



37 



Sea . 
Lake . 
River 
Creek 
Boo- . 
Island 
Silver 
Copper 

E£?8- . 
Corn . 
Soup . 
Potato 
Squash 
Tree . 
Loo" 
Pine . 
Oak . 
Grass . 
Bread 
Meat . 
Beaver 
Deer . 
Bear . 
Otter . 
Allio-ator 
Fox- 
Wolf . 
Dog . 
Squirrel 
Rabbit 
Wildcat 
Panthei- 
Raccoon 
Opossum 
Hoo- . 



We-hat-ka. 

Ok-hassee. 

Ilatchee thlokko. 

Ilatch-oochee. 

Ok-lee-\vah-hee. 

O-tee. 

Chat-to-ko-na-vvah . 

Chat-to-ko-na-wah-lah-nee. 

Its-hoos-tar-o-a\-. 

Chee. 

Sofkee. 

Ah-hah. 

Ta-hai-ah. 

P>to. 

E-to-wah-ki-e. 

C hoo- lee. 

Lok-lsa-siun-pa. 

Pah-pee. 



Tuck-lai-kee 

A-pess-vvah. 

Ets-hass-wah, 

E-cho. 

Xo-ko-see. 

O-sa-na. 

Ilal-pa-tah. 

Tso-la. 

Va-ha. 

E-fah. 

E-thlo. 

Ch o-tee. 

Ko-ak-o-chee, 

Cat-sa. 

W^ood-ko. 

Sok-a-hat-kee 

Sok-a. 



also Ah-bas-vvah. 



38 HITNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

Skunk Ko-no. 

Horse Cha-l()k-k(). 

Snake Chitto. 

Rattlesnake Chun-tee-chu-day. 

Turtle Lo-tsa. 

Fly Tsa-na. 

Bird Fuss- wall. 

Goose A-hak-wa. 

Duck Fo-tso. 

Partridge Ko-ai-kee. 

Turkey Pen-e-wah. 

Owl '. O-pah. 

Woodpecker .... Tit-ka. 

Fish Thla-thlo. 

White Hat-kee. 

Black Lus-tee. 

Red Tsah-tee. 

Blue Ok-ho lah-tee. 

Yellow Lah-nee. 

Birr ....... Thlokko. 

Little Chot-kee. 

Bad Hol-war-gus. 

Good Hintz-kay. 

Alive Hee-sah-kee. 

Dead E-lottee. 

Cold Ka-sappee. 

Hot Hai-ee. 

Sour Ka-mok-see. 

Sweet Tsam-pee. 

Salt Ok-tsan-wah. 

Milk Wah-ku-pissee. 

Butter Wah-ku-pissee-ne-ah, 

Plent}' Orgis. 

Food Humbugis. 

Tracks Fund-let. 



TllIC SEMINOI.ii INDIANS. 3p 

Mail}' Yo-mee-chen. 

You are To-\its-kist. 

He is To yits. 

I i\nnee. 

I want Si-arts-jay. 

He E-mee. 

Near A-wo-lee. 

Far away Ho-pai-ee. 

To-day Motz-en-etar. 

To-morrow Pok-see. 

Yesterday Pok-san-gee. 

Yes Un-car. 

No Hick-ast-chee. 

To sing Ya-hai-kee-taii. 

To dance O-pan-kee-tah. 

To kill E-leech-ee-tah. 

Go Hiepus. 

Gone Cir-cus-jay. 

Good-night Hiepa-larnis-jay. 

Have you any .... Chey-mo-char. 
Can you speak the Indian 

language O-por-nar-gart-g-gate the-tare. 

What is the price . . . In-nar-car-poor. 

Which way Ist-ali-mar-mar-hen. 

See it In-e-gits-kar. 

See E-gits-kar. 

What do you call it . . Nack-ke3--tay. 

1 Klamen. 

2 Tookelin. 

3 Toceenin. 

4 She-larkin. 

5 Sarkepin. 

6 Eparkin. 

7 Colorparkin. 

8 Senarparkin. 



40 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

9 Osther-parkin. 
lO Parlin. 
To illustrate the difference between the Creek language and that 
spoken by some of the " Miami " Indians, I give a few words 
selected from a list obtained through the kindness of Miss Freeman, 
the daughter of Mr. William Freeman, of Little River. 

1 Hump-kee. 

2 Po-coo-lee. 

3 To-chee-nee. 

4 Osteen, 

5 Cha-kee-pin. 

6 Ee-pa-kin. 

7 Co-la-pa-kin. 

8 To-chee-nee-pa-kin. 

9 Osteen-parkin. 
lo Po-lee. 

Horse Co-i-yee. 

Raccoon Su-a-wee. 

Turkey Fi-tee. 

Cow Wau-kee. 

Shirt Fo-kee-shee-ca. 

Dress O-ho-nee. 

Rabbit Cha-co-fee. 

Otter O-shy-nee. 

Wolf O-ba-ho-shee. 

Wildcat Coo-on-o-shee. 

Man Na-co-nee. 

Panther Coo-ot-cho-bee. 



THE FLORIDA PANTHER. 



The Florida Panther is still not uncommon in the more unsettled 
portions of the State. It is somewhat smaller and more rufous in 
color than its Northern hrethren, and its feet are smaller in jM'opor- 
tion to the size of the animal. It is comparadvely shy and is diffi- 
cult to tind on account of its habit of condnually wandering about, 
rarely staying long in one place unless attracted there bv an unusual 




FI.ORIUA PANTIIKK. 



abundance of food, sucli as in the vicinity of a hog camp or where 
deer are very plentv : but as a rule they move about a great deal, 
often traveling twenty miles or more in a night. The Florida 
Panther preys upon small animals and is very fond of deer and dogs 



42 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

when it can catch them. They hunt as a rule at night ; but on cool 
and cloudy days or after a rain they often move about in the day- 
time. If a panther kills a deer he returns to it the second night, but 
rarely the third night, and much of the animal is often left uneaten. 
In the old days it was b}^ no means uncommon to tind a dead deer 
in the woods with the evidence about it of having been killed and 
partly eaten by a panther. 

The track made by a panther somewhat resembles that of a hound, 
but it is larger, and the ball of the foot is relatively much larger ; the 
toe marks are in front and do not show any mark of a claw unless 
the animal is jumping. 

We found the fresh trails of seven panthers in one week within 
thii'ty miles of Lake Worth. The soft foot of this great cat leaves 
very little trail except in mud or soft sand. In traveling over a piece 
of sandy soil the tracks are almost invisible where those of a dog 
can be plainly seen. 

It was our usual custom to start out at daylight and allow the 
hounds to run about as they pleased as we rode slowly through the 
woods. Every few minutes a hound would start off on a fresh trail 
of some animal, and we would have to call in the other dogs and 
•" slow trail '' it until we came to a place where the ground was clear 
and soft enou^rh for us to see the tracks and learn what it was they 
were after. Oftentimes it would be a deer or cat, and we could 
sometimes tell what it was by watching the actions of the dog. If 
the trail was very winding and wandered in and out through a piece 
of scrub, turning this w^ay and that, we were pretty certain it was 
not a panther, for they usually follow a straight course, turning but 
little from right to left. 

In crossing a piece of open land, a panther walks directly across, 
while a deer would make a more or less irregular trail. Then again, 
if a hound following a trail smells along the top of an old log, we 
know very well that it is not a deer that has walked along the log, 
but either a wildcat or a panther. 

Of course if we found it was not a panther which the dogs were 
trailing we called them off and again continued our search. About 



THE FLORIDA I>.\NTni:R 



43 



.X'^^W^ J'i 



'*»-»*■ 



J. - -*-•' 




eleven o'clock we usually returned to camp. Later than that, unless 
the day was cloudy, no dog could follow a trail on sandv soil in 
the hot, dry w^eather of Southern Florida. Sometimes thj panther 
would make a trail late in the morning, and then of course it could 
be followed until 
afternoon, but usu- 
ally the trails were 
made early at night, 
and became too 
" cold" to be fol- 
lowed after the sun 
had been shining 
on them for several 
hours. It was easy 
enough to follow 
through the grass 
where the ground 
was still moist, but 
upon coming out 
upon high, sandv, 
spruce ridges the 
hounds w^ould lose 
the scent and 
wander aimlesslv 
about trying to re- 
cover it. 

In such cases we 
could sometimes 
assist them where 
the tracks were dis- 
cernible in the soft 
sand, but in many 
places the ground was just hard enough so that it was im- 
possible to see signs of the trail except at long intervals, and the 
time occupied in attempting to follow it across one of those 



JOHN I>A.\IS. 



44 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



dry places usually delayed us until too late to continue the hunt. 
A panther when " jumped " by the hounds usually runs but a 
short distance, and then climbs a tree, and in such cases may be 
easily killed by the hunter : but sometimes the panther does not 
take to a tree, but conceals himself in thick undergrowth, and 
there it is more difficult to get at him and he is sometimes ugly. 

Panthers will rarely attack a man unless wounded or with cubs, 
but they will fight the dogs, which have little chance against their 
teeth and claws. One particular panther which I killed in the spring 
of 1895 was quite ugly, charging the dogs savagely whenever they 
approached her. 

Panthers are not uncommon in the wilder portion of the State, 
both on the east and west coast. The Indians report them numerous 
in the vicinity of the Big Cypress south of Fort Myers. During the 
winter of 1895 they were quite numerous near the cypress swamps 
about Long Hammock and Custard Apple Hammock and south- 
west of Lake Worth. John Davis killed six in one season. They 
are scarce now on the peninsula east of the Lidian River, but were 
common there a few years ago. In 1892 I saw the fresh tracks 
of a large panther near Canaveral, and back in the " eighdes " 
Mr. O. A. Qiiarterman killed several in the vicinity of Canaveral, once 
makincr a double shot at two old males that he discovered hghdng 
on the bank of Banana Creek. They vary much in size. Florida 
Panthers which will measure ten feet in length are exceedingly rare, 
and from what I am told by the hunters and Indians I am inclined 
to believe that a panther nine feet in length may be considered a big 
one in Florida. A good-sized male will weigh between one hundred 
and one hundred and tw^enty-hve pounds, and I have seen full- 
grown panthers (females) which weighed less than eighty-tive 
pounds. 

A PANTHER HUNT. 

I WAS awakened before daybreak, and after dressing myself and 
eating a light breakfast we were in the saddle and well away from 
camp before it was light enough to follow a trail. The grass and 



THE P-LORIDA I'AXTFIER, 



45 



bushes were dripping with dew, aiul an energetic but soniewliat 
dissipated chuck-wilTs-widow^ was whisthng away with much fervor. 
A moment hiter and a crow cawed from the top of a small pine, and 
then the full avian orchestra commenced in earnest, and the belated 
chuck-will's-widow was heard no more. 

The dogs, eager to tind a trail, were running in and out of the 
thick bushes, occasionally starting off on the trail of a deer or wild- 
cat, upon which they were immediatelv called back b\' I)a\'is. 

Soon the sun rose, and then the bird music gradually ceased, 
although the bluebirds piped away alone for some time, occasionally 
assisted by a crow. x\t times the dogs would strike a trail on hard 
ground where we could see nothing. We would then have to call 
them in and "' slow trail " it until we came to a place where the 
ground was soft enough to enable us to see the tracks. 

Usually it proved to be a deer, sometimes a cat, but we were 
not after deer and cats, except of a larger kind, so the dogs were 
called off and we kept on. Panther tracks two or three days old 
were not uncommon, but no "fresh" ones were found, and I began 
to think we should have to give it up and return to camp. Once or 
twice the dogs sniffed along the top of a fallen tree, and our spirits 
immediateh' rose, as we knew that in all probability the animal that 
walked there was either a cat or a panther, but in every instance a 
fui^ther investigation proved it to ha\'e been the former. 

At times each of us would take a hound and hunt in di ff ereiit 
directions, meeting later at some point agreed upon, and then again 
we would hunt all the do^^s tou'ether. In this way we co\'erecl a great 
deal of ground. 

At last " Cleve" started off on an apparentU' fresh trail and was 
immediatelv followed b\' the other dogs. l)a\is called him back 
and made him go slowly until he came to a piece of soft sand where 
the trail was plain and clear, and which this time proved to be that 
of a large panther, and was evidently quite " fresh." At this time 
I was not with them, so Da\is and Gale started on to follow the 
animal alone. The dogs "jumped"' iiim within a mile of where 
they struck the trail, and the animal ran for perhaps a quarter of a 



^6 HUNTING ANT) FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

mile before taking to a tree. When Davis came up he saw the 
panther about twenty feet from the ground, standing upon a small 
limb, hardlv large enough to support it, and looking about in an un- 
easy manner. Just above the panther was a larger limb where she 
could rest secure if she would take the trouble to mount a few feet 
higher, but instead of doing this she continued looking anxiously 
about, and as Davis approached was evidently making up her mind 
to leave the tree. Davis, knowing that I was particularly anxious 
to obtain a photograph of a panther, and as the tree was in an exposed 
and sunny place, immediately conceived the idea that if he should 
wound the hind legs of the animal with a small shot the panther 
w^ould probably go higher up the tree and sun herself there until I 
should arrive. The result of this experiment was not a grand suc- 
cess, for upon receiving the charge of shot in her hind feet the panther 
immediatelv sprang (according to Davis' statement) at least forty 
feet from the tree and ran w^ith all the dogs after her into the 
cypress swamp, where she turned and attacked the dogs savagely, 
uttering in the meantime the loudest roars for an animal of its size 
that Davis had ever heard. The place where the panther concealed 
itself was about two hundred yards into the thick cypress swamp, 
where the ^^round was soft and wet. So, leaving Gale to follow with 
the dogs if the panther made a fresh start, Davis came back for 
me. 

When I reached the spot and saw the place in which the animal 
had concealed herself, I was satisfied it was useless to attempt to try 
to photograph this one, so, leaving the camera with Davis, I took my 
rifle and pushed my way slowly into the swamp where I could hear 
the dogs barking furiously, and Doc's voice was soon added to the 
chorus. As I neared them I heard the panther snarling and growl- 
ing savagely, occasionally making short rushes through the under- 
brush, evidently charging a dog. Suddenly she started off and ran 
perhaps one hundred or one hundred and tifty yards still further into 
the swamp, w^iere the ground was more marshy and the undergrowth 
still more dense. It was impossible to see more than ten or flfteen 
yards in any direction through the thick undergrowth, and in some 



Tin-; FLORIDA i'.\x'nii;K. 47 

places it was necessary K. cut the th..rn vines at almost everv step. 
Slowly pushino- my way in, listenin^ir to the dogs, especiallv'to the 
shrill, high piping of Doc, who nttered almost a continuous howl 
whenever the panther moved, I approached within twelve or tifteen 
yards of where the animal was concealed. 

Stepping cautiously over the logs and peering ahout me at every 
possible place where I thought she might be, I located her pretty 
dehnitely by the actions of the hounds which were now close to 
me, moving about from place to place, but all gazing in the direction 
of a thick clump of ferns and bushes surrounding an immense fallen 
cypress. Cautiously moving to one side, I saw'the panther crouch- 
ing beside and partly under the fallen tree. She was not over 
twenty feet distant, and as she turned her snarling face towards me 
she presented one of the ugliest pictures I have ever seen. Her 
ears were drawn tighdy back and she exposed a splendid set of 
teeth. A very pungent, musty odor was perceptible. As she 
turned towards me all the dogs sprang at her at once. Even gentle 
little Doc threw himself bravely into the fray, and crippled Cleve 
jumped at her as gamely as ever. She turned on them with a 
quickness that w^as astonishing, uttering a snarling roar while 
biting and clawing at them savagely ; but just then 1 tired, once, 
twice, three times, as fast as I could work the lex'er, and the great 
cat lay kicking and aimlessly biting, as the dogs worried her and 
fastened their teeth in her tough hide, while I cheered them on, and 
praised them, and told them what good dogs they were. Poor 
Cleve laid himself down close to the panther and commenced licking 
his foreleg, in which the bone w^as badly crushed. Bruce showed 
a long cut on his flank, and little Doc was scratched about the neck; 
luckily, none of the wounds were serious, although Cleve was laid 
up for some time. This was Doc's first panther and he was beside 
himself with joy and excitement. He would rush at tiie dead 
animal, and bite her, and bark at the same time, and then come 
running to me, wagging his tail and looking up into my eyes, as if 
to say, " Did you see me bite her ? 1 was a little afraid at hrst, 
she was so big and ugly, but w^hen 1 saw her turn towards \()u I 



48 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



forgot all about being afraid."" And then, with a joyful bark, he 
would rush off to repeat the performance. 

In a few minutes the men joined me, having heard the shots, and 
Gale and Davis carried the panther out in the open ground at the 
edge of the cypress swamp. Here we photographed her, after 
which Davis and I rode out to camp some twenty miles away, 
taking the panther with us and leaving Gale to spend the night with 



• ^" ' •fi^* *; " 




Vf 



^n 



4 



i; 






'J&' 



J 



two old hunters, Smith and Wooten, who were in camp some 
three miles away. This panther was a female and measured 
about seven feet in length from nose to tip of tail. The next day 
Gale had a ver}' peculiar experience with a panther, which is 
worthy of relating. As Gale tells the story, after 1 had left him 
he walked to Smith's camp as I had directed, taking the dogs with 
him. The next morning he started bright and early with the two 



'I1II-. I'LORIDA I'.WIIIICK. ,Q 

hunter, to come out to Little Fish Crossino-, and the^• had not <rone 
more than a quarter of a mile from camp before the do<rs found a 
perfectly fresh track of a good-sized panther. They lield a consul- 
tation as to the advisability of sendino- tor me, but, knowin<r that I 
had probably started for Lake Worth, it was decided to let the dogs 
run him for awhile.* 

The track was on the side of a small CNpress swamp, perhaps a 
few hundred yards in extent, and the doos ran directlv into this 
and came out the other side, bayin,<,. l„udlv. Old man Smith 
mounted a large fallen tree, and Wooten and Gale walked off to 
one side, attempting to locate the direction in which the dogs were 
going. Suddenly they heard the dogs coming directlv toward them, 
and Gale saw the panther bounding along towards \Smith, who at 
that moment also saw him and attempted to take aim. Gale says, 
at exery bound of the panther. Smith, who was on the tree, would 
raise and lower his gun until the animal was within thirtv or forty 
yards, when he hred both barrels, whereupon the panther made a 
tremendous spring, landed within a few feet of the tree, and turned 
a somersault. Gale believed that some of the bones in his shoulder 
had been broken and that, although he was able to spring forward 
all right, upon striking the ground with the injured foot it gave 
way, because after every spring the animal turned completely over. 
Wooten came running up and attempted to hre, when the panther 
sprang at him, again turning completely o\'er. 

The animal then acted in a most peculiar manner, springing into 
the air and turning over, as Gale described it, -like a hen whh its 
head cut off." Seeing he was no longer dangerous, Wooten and 
Smith ran up and finished him. He measured seven feet one inch 
m length, and was an old male panther, though not as large as thev 
sometimes grow. 

*An account of this was given in the Jacksonville Metro/'olis of May .., .S95. 



THE BLACK BEAR. 



The Black Bear is still numerous in many parts of Florida, espe- 
ciall}^ near the coast. Contrary to what might be expected, it grows 
as large, if not larger, in Florida than elsewhere in the United States. 
I have killed old males which I believe weighed over live hundred 
pounds, and old hunters have repeatedly told me that they have 
killed them weighing six hundred pounds. Unfortunately, the above 




weights were estimated and the animals were not actually placed 
upon the scales. However, I am satisfied that there is at least one 
bear in Florida alive to-day (or he was last spring) which will tip 



THE BLACK I5EAR. 5 1 

the scales at over tive huiulred pounds. Last year I carried scales 
with nie and weighed several bears which I killed, but, unfortu- 
nately, none of them were very large. .V comparatively small 
female weighed 350 pounds, and a male 411 pounds. This last 
bear was fat, but not as large as some I have killed. The largest 
bear I ever saw in Florida stood up in the scrub within twenty yards 
of me, and I had a fair shot at him. but for the first and only time 
in ni}' life a Winchester rifle cartridge failed to explode. Before 
I had time to push the lever and throw in another cartridge he 
dropped out of sight in the high palmetto, and, although the dogs 
chased him for several miles, he swam the river and I never saw 
him a<i"ain. 

A Black Bear will not attack a man unless badlv wounded or with 
cubs, although, as the exception proves the rule, one large fellow 
charged one of my men, who rode ahead of him in open ground and 
tried to turn him by tickling him with small shot. 

Bears hibernate in Florida as they do elsewhere in North America, 
usuallv remainin<>; hidden from about the last of December until 
March. In the spring they hunt for crabs along the shore and eat 
the young "palmetto cabbage" and the seeds of the mangrove, 
called " mangrove buds." In June they hunt the beaches for turtles' 
eggs, of which thev are very fond. In the fall they subsist princi- 
pally on the palmetto berries, which grow in great abundance in the 
sandy lands bordering the ocean beach, and if not disturbed they 
remain in such places until it is time for them to house up for the 
winter. They then become ver}^ fat and are easily brought to bay 
by the dogs, generally running but a short distance. The fiesh of a 
comparatively young bear is very palatable when properly cooked, 
and the fat makes a ver}^ satisfactory substitute for lard and is much 
esteemed by the Indians as well as bv many of the white settlers. 

Good sport may be had hunting bears in Florida, but to hunt them 
successfulh' one must have a reallv good lot of hounds. One or 
two at least must be thoroughly trained "bear dogs." Bear dogs 
are not easy to tind ; still, one may be had now^ and then by paying 
a high price for him. There are plenty of dogs that will "take" 



!:;2 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

a bear's trail and follow it for a short distance, but a good bear dog 
must chase a bear all da}^ and bay him alone, if necessary, for hours 
until his master arrives upon the scene. Good horses are also an 




I'AT AM) CAI.K, WITH TRIP, 1>(>C, AND TKIKR. 

important factor. They should be trained to stand where they are 
left without tying, to be used to rough traveling in rough places, 
and not at all gun-shy. 



THE 151. ACK I5EAR. -^ 

In December, 1893, I had particularly <rood sport in Florida, 
bagging four bears and chasing several others which I did not 
bag. Bears were unusually numerous in that locality where I was 
hunting, owing to the great abundance of palmetto berries and to 
the presence in the vicinity of two or tiiree good water holes. 

The following extracts from my diary will give some idea of bear 
hunting in Florida under favorable conditions : 

Dec. 8, 1893 : To-day our shooting party consisted of three 
guns, — Count A., Mr. C, and myself, — having with us the usual 
outfit of men, horses, and hounds. To hunt bears luxuriously in 
Florida the outfit should consist of good saddle horses (used to the 
woods and not gun-shy), good dogs, and two men, one to follow 
the hounds and the other to act as general utility man, take mes- 
sages, and carry the lunch, water, etc., while the -guns"' of the 
party devote their entire attention and energies to heading off the 
bear or getting to the place where the dogs are baying him, 
the latter probably in some thick scrub where it is impossible to 
ride and where the hunter must dismount and push his wav in on 
foot. 

Shortly after turning the hounds loose a chorus of exultant veils 
told us that they had found a fresh trail and were off. The wild 
shouts of Gale cheering on the dogs assured us that the bear 
had been started or "jumped." He ran for about a mile and then 
bayed in a very thick live-oak hummock. But before any one could 
get to him he was off again and did not stop until he had run at 
least two miles or more, when he again stopped in a thick, high 
scrub, and evidently made up his mind that he had run far enough. 

The bear was in a very thick place where the palmetto and small 
oak trees were higher than my head in places. I pushed my way 
up to where the dogs were holding their concert : a short recitati\'e 
by the leading hound being invariably followed by a full chorus, a 
dog called Blue carrying the high tenor part in fine style. When- 
ever there was a lull in the performance I could hear tlie bear pant- 
mg heavily not more than fifteen or twenty feet from me, but 
perfectly concealed by the thick scrub. Occasionally his bearship 



54 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



made a short rush at the nearest dog, uttering a pecuhar sort of 
rumbling growl or grunt as he did so. During one of these charges 
I saw him for an instant not more than tw^enty feet from me, and 
shot him through the lungs with a bullet from mv 45-70 Winchester. 
He immediately rose on his hind feet and turned towards me, receiv- 
ing another ball in the chest as he did so. Over he went, with the 
whole lot of dogs on him as he fell. I shot him once again, fearing 
that he might still be able to injure the dogs, but it was not needed. 




This bear was an old male and very fat. He weighed about 
five hundred pounds (estimated) and measured six feet tw^o inches 
from nose to tail (straight line), and eight feet six inches from hind 
claw to nose : around the chest he measured a trifle over fiftv-four 
inches ; one of his front claws w^as three and a quarter inches long 
(measured on the curve) ; altogether, he was a pretty fair Florida 
bear. 



THE HI.AlK 1!I:AU 



:)3 



Satuim)Av, Dkc. i6, 1893: I luinU'd tlu- laroe "liaminock" 
where we lost the bio- bear yesterday. Tom Murray went with me, 
and Pat and Gale looked after the horses and do<rs. Trip found a 
fresh trail of an old she bear and ran south with the other dogs for 
several miles before they finally " bayed "" her in a thick, high scrub. 
I could hear her growling and snapping at the dogs : but could not 
see her, and the next moment she was off again with the dogs at her 




J 



heels. She ran south a mile or more : but we took the open beach, 
and, riding fast, headed her in a rather open bit of country with low 
palmetto scrub not far north of Cape Canaveral. Tom Murray rode 
ni ahead of her, and she turned and passed within twenty feet of me, 
and I dropped her stone dead with a quartering shoulder shot. She 
was the first and only bear that I have ever killed with a single bul- 
let so dead as to not even kick after being hit. She was a verv old 
female, although rather small, probably weighing less than three 



56 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA, 

hundred pounds. We extemporized a liarness with a rope and some 
straps and Bob succeeded in dragging her out to the beach. The 
skull of this bear is now in the National Museum. 

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 1894 : Trip and one of the other dogs jumped 
a bear in a hummock, and I had a snap shot at him as he crossed a 
narrow strip of open ground, and think I wounded him slightly. 
He ran for a mile or more and then stopped in a thick bit of high 
palmetto. The day was hot and it was hard work following on 
foot through the thick scrub, and when I reached the place where 
the bear was righting the dogs I was completely exhausted, and 
instead of going in at once I waited a moment or two to recover my 
breath. As I stood, gasping and dizz3% the bear started off again, 
and I had a good view of him as he jumped a fallen tree, and should 
have hit him, but my hand was too unsteady, and I believe I made a 
clean miss. In getting over the tree he rested his fore feet and then 
his hind feet on it, as a dog does going over a wall. After a few 
moments' rest I pushed my way through the scrub to the beach, 
where I found Pat leading Bob. Hastily mounting, I galloped south 
for a couple of miles and heard the dogs " baying '" in a thick piece of 
very high palmetto scrub, tilled with small, dead oak trees which had 
evidently been killed by lire. The bushes were so high and thick I 
could not see the bear, but the dogs were close to me, and I knew they 
were close to the bear. I cheered on the dogs, hoping the bear 
would show himself, and he did. There was a rush and out came Trip 
and Brown, and the next instant I caught a glimpse of a black object 
directly under my horse's nose. I tried to shoot, but a branch caught 
my arm, and Bob's sudden start disconcerted me, and the next instant 
the bear had disappeared. I followed as long as I could hear the 
dogs ; but I soon lost them, and after riding about for an hour or 
more I gave it up and rode back to camp, where I found two of the 
dogs. Trip and Brown did not get back until late in the evening. 

Tuesday, April 3, 1894: The dogs found the fresh trail of a 
small bear and " jumped" him near a small creek. He ran directly 
south and I never saw or heard the dogs after the lirst fifteen min- 
utes. Several hours later they all came back except Tige and 



'Ill'; liLACK r.KAK 



57 



nrowii : Uiey did not return until niulu. Durnio- the ride 1 startled a 
|]arn owl (S/r/.y prafiuro/a ) out of a small tree, and saw an unusual 
number of C^iail ( (\ vir^i>-/ni<,nns), nearly all of which were in pairs. 
Wkd.nksday, Ai'RM, 4, ,894: Started xery earlv and hunted 
laithlully for some hours, but the do-'s failed to lind a fresh trail. 
Hears are wanderin-- about at this season of the year and do not 
stay lono- in one place. Saw several fresh deer tracks and dug out 
the old water holes where the bears <ro to drink. ^Fwo of them were 
nearly dr\ . 

Thursday, April 5, 1894: As we drove down the beach this 
morning the sun was just rising aboxe the horizon. The air was 
cool and damp. A few willets and turnstones were feeding along 
die beach, and flocks of J^rown Pelicans {P./nsnis) passecfus. Hy- 
ing parallel to the shore, about two hundred yards from the beach. 
They flew in line, one behind the other, and they would all llap 
their wings or sail motionless, following the example of their leader. 
I intended to 
hunt some miles 
further south, 
but as we had 
luade rather ,1 
late start I de- 
term ined to 
look a t some 
old water holes 
near by, hoping 
to li n d signs 
of bear in the 
vicinity. Lea\- 
ing the wagon 
on the beach. 
1 mounted old 
Bob, Qiiarter- 

man riding Doctor, while (iale and Pat followed on foot, leading 
the hounds. Shortly after reaching the edge of a wide marsh we 




'^^Hr ^Bi < 



KAITLKSNAKK. 



58 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

rode directly o\'er a large rattlesnake which coiled and rattled, but 
did not offer to strike the horse as he stepped over it. I dismounted 
and shot its head to pieces with a rifle bullet ; first taking several 
snap photographs of it, holding the kodak as close to its ugly head 
as I dared as it lay there rattling and ready to strike. It was a 
thick, heavy snake, although not a very long one, measuring five 
feet, nine inches. It had nine rattles and a button.* 

Upon reaching the water holes I found one of them dr}', but there 
was water in the other and a large bear had visited it within a few 
hours. Ilis tracks were very plain and fresh in the soft mud and 
sand about the hole. 

The dogs got away well together. Trip and Tige leading, followed 
by Brown and the others. Several of my dogs will run a bear well 
for a short distance, but will not fight or bring him "to bay'" In' 
biting and snapping at his legs. Trip will follow a bear all dav and 
bav him alone at times, and this was the case to-dav. Tlie dogs 
jumped the bear within ten minutes after being started, and he ran 
for about two miles to the north, Qiuirterman and I following along 
the marsh and keeping within hearing of the dogs and Gale. Gale's 
yells to encourage the dogs could be heard when we could not hear 
the hounds. Soon after the bear turned to the southeast and we 
could hear nothing of the dogs or Gale. 

Qiiarterman rode further north, while I galloped south to an old 
trail through the scrub, on the chance that the bear mitrht ha\e ""one 
that way. As I reached the trail I heard Trip, and a few minutes 
after saw the bear crossing a ridge about a hundred yards off, where 
the scrub was low and thin. I had a fair chance at him, but just as 
I fired my horse swerved just enough to spoil the shot, and the next 
minute he was off and away in a thicket where no horse could fol- 
low. Pat came up with Tige and Brown, and I put them on the 
fresh trail, w'hich they eagerly took and went off giving tongue finely. 
Shortly after two, or perhaps three, of the dogs "bayed" the bear 
in a small live-oak hummock, but he was off again before I could 
come up with them. It was now getting hot and three hounds came 

* Other photographs of living rattlesnakes will be found under the chapter on Florida snakes. 



Tin.; liLACK I!i;ak. -q 

back to iLs xei-v much in need of water and overcome with the heat. 
On the marsh I met Qiiarterman and we went north a<rain to a thick, 
high scrub where we hoped we miolu lind the bear baved. All the 
hounds had come back to us except Trip and J^rown, and we did 
not know where they were or what direction they had taken. When 
Trip becomes- tired he makes little noise. 

Just as we had about made up our minds that we had lost the bear 
I heard Trip bark not two hundred yards from us, in some thick, 
high scrub. We went in on foot, leaving the horses on the edge of 
the marsh. We separated, keeping about hfty yards apart, although 
we, of course, could not see one another. Trip xvas obstinately 
silent and we could not locate the exact place where he was, but we 
were sure the bear was there somewhere, for if he had started off 
Trip would have made noise enough. After going a short distance 
through a most discouraging tangle of roots and bushes I heard 
Qiiarterman shout and then a series of howls from Trip, that seemed 
to move rapidly south, and it did not need Qiiarterman\s yell of 
" He's off to the south " to make me hurry back through the" scrub 
to where I had left my horse, mount him, and gallop as hard as I 
could to the old trail. There I found Gale and Pat and several of 
the dogs. Gale, who was riding Qiuu-terman's horse, shouted to me 
that the bear had just crossed the trail going south, followed by 
Trip all alone. There was just a chance that I might head 
him off on a trail leading to the beach, about half a mite further 
south, so away I rode as fast as I could make ^' Old Bob" go 
over the rough trail. I feared I would be too late, but I made'^it 
just in time, for, as I turned into the cleared path at a gallop, I heard 
Trip's voice close to me, and out of the scrub came the bear not 
thirty yards distant, but behind me, so that I had to turn half around 
in the saddle to tire. It was a snap shot, but I dropped him in his 
tracks with a bullet through the shoulder. He was up again, 
however, in an instant, Trip hanging to him bra\elv. To disntount 
and rire two more shots from the Winchester 45 - did not take long, 
and the bear lay dead, with Trip biting and tugging at his flanki 
This bear was an old male : I weighed him carefullv, and he tipped 



6o HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

the scales at exactly 351 pounds. This was not at all heav}' for 
the size of the bear. He was rather thin and in good running con- 
dition, which accounted for the long chase he had given us. He 
measured eight feet and four inches from hind claw to end of nose, 
six feet and two inches from nose to tail, forearm seventeen inches, 
and chest fortv-seven inches. When fat he would probably have 
weighed nearly hve hundred pounds. The width of his forefoot 
was six and a quarter inches. 

Monday, April 9, 1894 : To-day I found a fresh trail of a 
medium-sized bear about hve miles to the south. It was early, the 
o-round was still damp, and the dogs were fresh and eager. Away 
they went in a bunch in full cry, Trip and Tige in the lead. Brown 
and Dan are down with the " staggers," and I miss Brown's voice. 
I followed them the best I could, which was not very fast, as the 
scrub was thick. Thev '' jumped" the bear within five minutes of 
starting, and he ran due south, so I turned and rode for the open 
beach. Once out of the thick scrub, I galloped south for several 
miles before again taking the scrub, hoping to head the bear. After 
waiting for ten or fifteen minutes and hearing nothing of the dogs, I 
saw a man in the distance waving his hat. It w^as Gale, with the 
cheerful information that the bear had turned and gone north. 
Away I went up the beach to a trail some miles north of me, and as 
I neared it I heard Trip baying something, apparently all alone in a 
small hummock about half a mile away. The scrub was very thick 
and high, but, pushing my way through it I arrived within about two 
hundred yards of the spot, when, crash, away went the bear, show- 
ing himself for an instant as he dashed into a lot of high bushes, and 
I never saw him again. Ride where I would, I could not hear the 
dogs anywhere, or, rather, the dog, for Trip was the only one follow- 
ing him. The others had given it up and joined us, one after the 
other, as we rode back to the wagon. Just as I was starting home 
Trip came back to me, looking very tired and hot, and, I have no 
doubt, thoroughly disgusted. Three of tlie hounds have the " stag- 
gers," which often proves fatal in this climate. Their hind legs seem 
to be paralyzed, but they apparently suffer no pain. 



DEER. 

Deer hunting is bv no means such easy work as one who has not 
tried it might imagine. Of course, deer are so numerous in some 
localities that any one who can shoot straight can hardl}' tail to kill 
one in a day's hunt ; but such places are becoming more rare year 
bv year. Not so very lono- a"[o it was no uncommon sight to see 




eight or ten deer feeding on a prairie at one time, but such sights 
are rare nowadays. 

Deer are usually hunted in one of three ways (tire hunting not 
included, the latter being rarely indulged in by a true sportsman), 

6i 



62 



HUNTING AND PISHING IN FLORIDA. 



viz. : (I) Hunting on horseback and running the deer with hounds; 
this method to be successful requires a party of hunters and some 
one to direct operations who is thoroughly acquainted with the 
country. (2) To "slow trail" them, which is usually the most 
satisfactory way to hunt them. A hound trained to follow a trail 
slowly and without barking is used, and must go slow enough to 
enable tlie hunter to keep within a few yards of him all the time ; 
sooner or later the deer is " jumped," usually within easy shooting 
distance. The third method is known as still hunting. To be a 
successful "still hunter" requires keen eyesight combined with a 
knowledge of woodcraft and the habits and ways of deer which 
comparatively few wliite men possess. Indians always hunt deer in 

this manner, but they have been 
trained to it all their lives, and 
always hunt where they know 
there is plenty of game. A single 
deer may often be stalked and shot 
almost in open ground where there 
is only an occasional bush or clump 
of grass for cover. 

By keeping to leeward of the 
animal, and creeping forward while 
it has its head down feeding, and remaining perfectly motionless 
when it lifts its head, one may often approach within easy shooting 
distance. A deer, as a rule, shakes his tail before lifting his head. 
On one occasion I had approached within perhaps 125 yards of a 
buck in an open prairie when the grass was not over twelve or fifteen 
inches high. I was creeping along on my hands and knees, when he 
suddenly raised liis head and looked directly at me before I had 
time to lay down in the grass. I remained perfectly still, and after 
gazing steadily at me for a moment he stamped once or twice, 
advanced a few steps and stamped again, but after examining me 
for some time he apparently came to the conclusion that I was part 
of the scenery and not dangerous : whereupon he commenced to feed 
again. 




DIvER. 



63 




When a deer is stalked 
and sees sonielhiiii^ oi" 
which lie is afraid lie oen- 
erall}' utters a snort of 
alarm, and then away he 
goes, his white tail held 
straight up in the air, 
showing clearly as he 
bounds high o y e r the 
bushes. If you have hred 

at him and he goes off witli his tail down 3'ou may be sure he is 
badly wounded. I have shot at deer at long range and seen them 
go away without raising their tails, but could Hnd no signs of blood 
along the trail ; yet upon following it for a short distance the deer 
would be found quite dead. Oftentimes a deer will bleed badly from 
a comparatively slight xvound, and again be seriously ^vounded 

and bleed externally but 
little. 

The Florida Deer is 
smaller and varies slightly 
in colcM- from the true C. 
I' i r i^-/ u / a 1/ 11 s. A full- 
grown buck will often not 
weigh over no pounds, 
althougli I have killed 
them considerably larger, 
and probably they occa- 
sionally ( though rarely) 
approach in size their 
Northern relation. In 
Florida as elsewhere the 
bucks dr()]-» their anders 
every year, usually about 
February. The rutting 
season occurs in Septem- 




6a hunting and fishing in Florida. 

ber and earlv October, and the young are born in April and 
early May. 

The Indians burn the prairies early in the year, and deer are 
attracted to the " burns " by the young and tender new grass. It is 
by using such methods and being expert hunters that they kill 
tn-eat numbers of these animals : but I am glad to say but very 
little of the meat is wasted ; what they do not sell, they smoke and 
keep for their own use. 

Note.— Two of the photographs of deer were not taken in Florida. The full-page photogravure represents a 
group of wild deer on the author's preserves in Massachusetts. 



ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES. 



ALLIGATORS. 



Tin-: largest alligator I have ever seen in Florida was killed near 
Enterprise, on the St. John River, and measured fourteen feet within 
a fraction of an inch. I haxe killed several alligators over twelve 
feet m length, and one which measured thirteen feet two inches, 















^^k^ V 






^.v*3^ 






.*. "k 



^" 




>•* « 



*^ 



ifc-J^it. 




AI,Lir,ATOK. 



which I shot on the St. John Ri^•er near the mouth of the \Viki^•a 
Creek. Large alligators have of late years become rather scarce' 
although nearly every year I kill one or more which ^^'ill exceed 
eleven feet. 



66 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



One often hears marvelous stories regarding the size of alligators 
killed by this or that hunter ; but I do not believe that there exists 
to-day in Florida an alligator which will actually measure seven- 
teen feet in length. The head of an alligator killed on the St. 
Sebastian River in 1893, purchased by Mr. W. V. Rhoads, of 
Rockledge, Florida, is so much larger than any specimens I have 
ever seen that I did not for a moment discredit his statement that 
the animal measured when killed a trifle over sixteen feet in 
length. 

The alligator lays its eggs in the sand, where they are hatched by 
the heat of the sun, and the young alligators then collect in some 
small hole where the mother keeps watch over them. The piping, 
or grunting, as it is called, of the young alligator somewhat resem- 
bles the piping call of a hen turkey. It is imitated by the "skin 
hunter," who is usually able to call to the surface almost any old 
alligator which may be lying within hearing distance. I have 

seen John Davis repeatedly call 



,^-^ ^«. - ^, ^ allip^ators to the surface of small 

'/ f' .' " -^f-^ ^ t^' ^UH' ponds wdiere there was no sign 

of one when we arrived. After 
two or three grunts, as it is termed 
(although the call does not re- 
semble a grunt at all), one or 
more alligators would rise to the 
surface and lay looking at us for 
a moment. The hunter has to shoot quickly under these circum- 
stances, as the alligator soon discovers the deception and will not 
come up a second time for an}- amount of grunting. The little alli- 
gators may be called to the surface in a similar manner and caught 
by hand or a small dip net. I have man}- times caught dozens of 
them in this manner by simply leaning over the edge of a bank 
under which were a large number of young alligators and " grunt- 
ing " them to the surface, where the}' were seized and placed in a 
box, until nearlv all of them had been captured. An alligator 
under fifteen inches is comparatively safe to handle, as their teeth 




ALLKiATORS AND CROCODILES. 



67 



are extremely small. Larger thaii that, they are sometimes inclined 
to be ugly and their small teeth cut sharply. 

Years ago the alligator was very destructive to dogs. Young 
dogs which went down to the rivers to drink often did not return, 
and the howling of a dog would instantly bring to the surface any 
alligator which might be within hearing distance. Hunting dogs 
while swimming 
streams and ponds 
were often killed 
or badly bitten by 
these animals ; but 
at present so few 
of the large ones 
are left, and thev 
have become s o 
shy, that it is a 
rare thing to hear 
of dogs being in- 
jured by them. 

The alligator is 
often found on land 
some distance from 
water ; in s u c h 
cases it is well to 
keep away from its 

tail, as it strikes with great power and is capable of doing con- 
siderable injury. The danger from this is probably exaggerated. 

One method of hunting alligators which is quite commonly prac- 
tised is to pull them out of their holes under the banks of the rivers 
and on the borders of the ponds. When the water gets low enough 
at certain seasons of the year these holes may be found, and b^• in- 
vestigating them with the aid of a long pole, if the alligator is at 
home he will soon give signs of life, usually grunting and moving 
about. Oftentimes he will sa\-agely bite the end of the pole when 
it touches him. A large hook, resembling a shark hook, is attached 




ALLIGATOR. 



68 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



to the end of the pole, and a rope fastened to the hook in case the 
pole should break. The alligator may then be hooked, pulled out 
of the hole, and shot ; but it frequently requires two or three men to 
accomplish this if it be a large one. While being drawn to the 
entrance of the hole he roars and bellows in a lively manner. I 
have taken several alligators in this manner which measured over 
eleven feet in length. 

When alligators tight with each other they attempt to seize the 
upper jaw. I once saw two large alligators lighting in a very shal- 
low pond : each made several 
ineffectual attempts to obtain 
the jaw hold without success. 
At last the larger one suc- 
ceeded in seizing his oppo- 
nent bv the upper jaw and 
immediatelv rolled over and 
over, breaking his opponent's 
jaw close to the head, killing 
him instantly. Tliis is, I am 
told, the usual method em- 
ployed by alligators when 
iighting with one another. 

In localities where alliga- 
tors are much hunted they 
become very wary and shv, 
and lay with their heads to- 
ward the water, sleeping 
with " one eye open," and at 
the slightest sound they do 
the " vanishing lady " to per- 
fection. A hunter paddles 
cautiously up some creek where he knows a large alligator some- 
times repairs for an afternoon siesta — one careless motion so that the 
paddle just touches the side of the boat and a loud splash in the dis- 
tance tells him his chance to kill that alligator has gone for that day. 




ALLIGATOR. 



ALLKiATORS AND CKOCODI LES. (39 

The skin luinters kill alli<jj;itors at iiioiu, using a li<ijht with which 
they iii'e able to " shine" their eyes. ^Flu' allii^ator does not fear a 
light, and as the boat approaclu's within a few feet of the animal it 
is shot without difficulty. Thousands are killed annually in this 
manner, and their skins are shipj-)ed North or sold to intermediate 
dealers in Jacksonville and \'icinity at the rate of ten cents per run- 
ning foot. The much more sportsman-like wa\' of hunting the 
alligator is by '' still-hunting " them in the daytime, paddling silently 
up the creeks and riyers, where at times they may be found asleej-) 
or sunning themseh'es on the banks. In places where they ha\e 
been much hunted this is by no means easy to do. Where the alli- 
gators haye not been disturbed they are tame and lazy, and I haye 
passed within a few feet of se\'eral that gazed stupidly at me without 
attempting to leaye the bank. A good ritle is the proper weapon 
with which to hunt alligators. I prefer a 45 Winchester, either 
45—70 or 45-90, which has power enough to kill the animal and not 
merely wTnmd it and allow it to escape and die. A shot striking the 
eye or any portion of the head so as to penetrate the brain is almost 
instantly fatal. It is rare that a shot in the body will stop an alli- 
gator where he lies, and it is not adyisable to shoot at the body if 
the head is exposed. The old idea that a rifle-ball woiUd glance 
from the skin of an alligator does not apply to modern weapons. 
If a rifle-ball strikes fairly it will penetrate the skin without difh- 
culty and will sometimes pass completely through the body. 

Before closing my remarks on large alligators I will refer to an 
entry which I once saw in the register of the Brock House. 

In the old da3's, when transportation was more difficult than it is at 
present, the Brock House was about the end of civilization and was 
a twenty-four hours' trip by boat from Jacksonville. It was at that 
time a great resort for sportsnien, who were attracted there by the 
Ashing and shooting to be had in the \-icinit\'. The old register, 
which extended back a great many years, contained some quee^" 
records, some of them of doubtful veracity. Among others, some 
one has written : " March 19, 1872, killed a large alligator, the 
largest seen here this year : the stomach contained a boot, a piece 



70 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



of pine wood, a tisherman's float, and some small fish." Immedi- 
ately beneath this record was another which evidently some wag 
had" added : "March 24, killed a much bigger alligator than the 
one mentioned above. The stomach contained a gold watch, 
$10,000 in government bonds, and a cord of wood." On the next 
page, written in a neat, unobtrusive style, was inscribed the follow- 
ing : "Shot the biggest alligator ever known in Florida : the 
stomach contained the remains of a steam launch, a lot of old rail- 
way iron, and a quantity of melted ice, proving that it existed during 
the glacial epoch." 

CROCODILES. 

The crocodile occurs in the rivers and bays of extreme South 
Florida, but is seldom found far from salt w^ater, rarely being found 




CKOCOniLE. 



in anv of the fresh water streams. It may easily be distinguished 
from the allio-ator bv its narrow snout and the holes in the end of the 



ALLKJATORS AM) CROCODILICS. 



71 



upper jaw into which the two front teeth of the h,wer jaw enter 
As a rule, it hves in the bays and inhuul creeks whicli abound in the 
southern portion of the State. l^assin.i,. through some of these 
creeks, where the banks are one or two feet above high water mark 
numbers of their well-worn slides may be seen, where thev climb out 
on the bank to sleep and sun themselves. It is claimed that the 
crocodile cannot be hunted at night, but as I do not hunt in that 
manner I hnve no personal knowledge of the subject. The hunters 
claim that the crocodiles will not look at a light and that thev cannot 
" shine their eyes," as they can those of an alligator, which'is luckv 
for the crocodiles, as they are not very numerous even noxv. 

Crocodiles grow to a larger size than the alligator. At one time 




UKAI) OK CROCODILK. 

they were numerous in Indian Creek, Biscayne Bay, and also in 
Arch Creek in the same locality, but thev are not as plentv now as 
formerly. Further south, through Card Sound and below, is the 
present home of the crocodile in any numbers, and the intricate net- 
work of islands and lagoons makes it ver^■ ditlicult for any one 
except a professional hunter to t^nd them. The largest crocodile I 
have ever killed measured thirteen feet eight inches in length. I 



72 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



shot him in a small creek near Card Sound, in the spring of 1895, 
and saw another at that time which I feel certain was at least two 
feet longer than his companion. 

An old hunter by the name of William Freeman told me he saw a 
crocodile in a shallow creek near Card Sound, and, as he could see 
the animal perfectly, tried to form an approximate idea of its length 

by pacing the bank 

f 31 ^P'«'*i|i^^^^!ia^jp| ^■^]\^,\ ^^y\^]i the croc- 

odile. He stated 
that he believed 
this crocodile 
would measure at 
least nineteen feet. 
Such estimates are 
o f comparatively 
little value except to show that there are larger crocodiles in South 
Florida than have as yet been killed : and it is fair to assume that 
there are crocodiles in Florida to-day which will measure seventeen 
feet or more in length. The skin is not as dark as that of an alli- 
gator, being slightly variegated, lighter and darker in places, and 
the animal when asleep on the bank appears to be clay colored, 
rather than black, as in the case of the alligator. The large one 
which I killed looked ashy gray as he lay on the bank about fifty 
yards from me. 




CROCODILE. 



TURKEYS. 

Where turkeys are numerous a great many are trapped every 
year by the native hunters by methods which do not redound to the 
intelHgence of the turkeys. A phice is found where they are in the 
habit of '' using," as it is called. Corn is scattered about, and, if 
that is eaten, more corn is placed there the next day. They are fed 
in this manner for a week or more, until the turkevs become accus- 
tomed to going there for food. Tiien small logs are laid, forming 
a square box about six or eight inches in height : possibly two 
logs on each side, one above the other. In this is placed the corn, 
and the turkeys enter it readily, as the obstruction is not sufficient to 
make them fear any harm. The next night another log is added on 
the four sides, raising the box gradually, perhaps a foot or so each 
night, until the small logs form a cone-shaped box, narrowing at 
the top, leaving an opening of perliaps a foot or eighteen inches bv 
which they can enter at the top. Corn is placed in the box and a 
few kernels leading to it, as usual, and the turkevs, mounting the 
last log, enter it and eat up the corn. The opening has now become 
so narrow that, although a turkey can easily jump down through it 
with closed wings, it is impossible to jump out of it with wings 
spread. I have tried this method on one or two occasions, but with- 
out success, although I have no doubt as to the truth of the state- 
ment, which is vouched for by a number of old residents and 
hunters. 

Another style of trap is a log pen with a large tunnel under one 
side. The turkeys follow the corn through the tunnel and do not 
attempt to go back the same way, but run about the sides of the 
pen, poking their heads through the openings between the logs. 

Turkeys are still numerous in some parts of Florida, although 
they have been practically exterminated in man}^ localities where 
they were once common. They are gregarious and usually prefer 

73 



74 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



a well-watered countiy, roosting in a swamp or on the borders of 
some stream or pond. When a nati\-e hunter discovers a roost he 
conceals himself near it at night and often kills nearly the entire 
flock, shooting the under ones first, so that the dead bird in falling 
will not alarm the others. 

In the springtime the gobblers ma}' be " called" by imitating the 
plaintive piping of the hen, and this is a common method of shoot- 
ing them. Usually a quill is used to imitate the call, but some 
hunters can produce it with their fingers and lips. The hunter con- 
ceals himself and calls softly until the gobbler approaches near 
enough to be seen and killed. Occasionallv a flock of turkeys will 
be found feeding in the open ground, and they usually fly to some 
heavy timber and perch themselves high up among the top branches, 
affording a good chance for rifle practise. In following a turkey's 
trail the hunter must keep up with the dog and go as fast as the 
nature of the ground will permit. A turkey will usually run for 
some distance ahead of a dog before attempting to fly, and if the 
hunter follows fast enough he will stand a good chance of getting 
within shooting distance before he "jumps." I have seen many a 
fine gobbler go soaring away two or three hundred yards ahead of 
me which I probably could have killed had I keptwathin easy shoot- 
ing distance of the hounds. 

When the dog shows by his actions that the turkey is only a short 
distance ahead that is the time that the hunter must use good 
judgment. 

Now the turkey must be " flushed" or made to fly, but not until 
within shooting distance. If not pushed the turkey will often run a 
long distance ahead of the dog and perhaps escape in some impen- 
etrable swamp. When the scent gets very warm let the dog hurry 
a little, but not go so fast that the hunter cannot keep close to him. 
The turkey, hearing the dog close behind and finding he cannot 
escape bv running, goes into the air with much heavy flapping of 
wings, and if the hunter is sixty or sevent}' yards behind his dog he 
is probably a hundred or more away from the turkey, and his 
chances of bagging that gobbler are extremely slim. 



TARPON FISHING. 

Day was just ])i-eakin<]j when Will and I pushed our hoat from the 
wharf. It was a typical Florida sprino- morning, with the usual 
gorgeous cloud effects so common in these latitudes ; the whole 
eastern sky was banked with crimson clouds shading softly into the 
pale blue higher up where the cloud banks suddenly ceased. Gradu- 
ally the changing colors paled and paled, fading into dull gra}- and 
white as the sun rose higher and showed his Her}- edge over the tops 
of the low mangroves on the key opposite. The bav was as smooth 
as a pond : the water being scarcely rippled by the light breeze 
which bore to us the faint chattering and whistling of a ilock of 
blackbirds on the keys opposite, and we could distinctly hear the 
voices of two men in a boat far over near the other shore, a mile or 
more away. 

We passed several low oyster bars, which are usually covered at 
high tide, and just beyond one of these Will stopped rowing and, 
nodding his head towards the reef, said: "Do you see the deep 
water just to the south of that bar? That is where I saw several 
tarpon yesterday — and t/icrc goes one iiozc." 

I looked quickly in the direction he was pointing and caught a 
momentary glimpse of a large tin cutting the mirror-like surface of 
the water ; a dull gleam, and then all was quiet save for the gradually 
widening ripples which marked the spot where the great fish had 
risen. 

" Qiiick," cried Will : " throw well out ahead of that ripple and if 
he takes it give him plenty of time before \o\x strike." 

Swinging the heavy rod backwards, I made a strong cast and the 
line, weighted with half of a mullet, ran freely from the reel. It was 
a good throw and the piece of fish struck the water not twentv feet 
from the spot where the tarpon had risen. Loosening the line and 
seeing that it ran freely under the leather thumb check, I waited. 



75 



76 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



Will cut up small pieces of mtillet and threw them over the water in 
different directions, while I anxiously watched the line. Five min- 
utes passed, ten minutes — suddenly my line began to run from the 
reel with a strong, steady movement. 

" Steady," cried Will ; " give him time to get the bait down his 
throat. Don't strike too quick. Now give it to him. Now! 
Now ! " 

Holding the rod firmly with both hands, I checked the reel and 
struck hard, so hard that the stout rod bent with the strain, and 




instantly, with a tremendous rush, a huge silver, gleaming monster 
flung himself completely out of the water, shaking- his head 
savagely. Down he came in a splash of white foam, and it required 
no warning cry from Will to make me brace m3'self for the rush 



TARPON FISHING, 



77 



which we knew would come. The stout rod bent Hke a reed, and 
tlie carefully tested line sung from the reel in spite of the strong 
friction of the leather check pressed tirmly against it; but the strain 
was too great to last, and the line ran out slower and slower and 
presently tiie reel ceased to turn ; but with a strong, steady pull the 
great fish moved steadily on, towing our boat rapidly behind him. 



\ 




Suddenly the bent rod straightened with a spring. It needed no cry 
from Will to tell me the fish had doubled and was headed towards 
us. I heard him grunt as he threw his weight on the oars, and, 
holding my rod tirmly, the butt well braced, I awaited the coming 
strain. Almost instantly it came. Again that stout old rod bent 
like a bow and the reel hummed, and again, shaking his head 
savagely, the tarpon threw himself fully two feet above the water. 



78 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



Never shall I forget the scene which followed. Never, if I catch a 
thousand of his kind, do I expect to see a more magnificent fight for 
freedom than that grand fish made in his struggles to rid himself of 
the barb within his jaws. Once, twice, four times he cast his whole 
length into the air in his mad struggles. The water foamed 
and boiled as he fell and sank, to almost immediately reappear, 
hurling himself high into the air, shaking his head as a dog shakes 
a rat, his blood-red gills showing in striking contrast to his gleaming 
silver body. As he sank for the fifth time the strain on the line 
ceased ; turning the reel, there was no resistance, and I heard a sigh 
from Will. 

" He's off ; it can't be helped : but wasn't he a dandy? " 
I said nothing, for I was sadly disappointed. To have had a fine 
tarpon hooked for fifteen minutes, and then to lose him was dis- 




THE LEAP OF THE TARPON. 



couraging ; but, as Will said, it could not be helped, and the only 
thing to do was to try for another. So, rowing back to our original 
position, we baited the hook with a fresh and enticing bait, and set- 
tled dowm quietly to wait. 



TARl'OxN FISHING. 



79 



Perhaps twenty minutes had passed when a<rain something took 
the bait and moved slowly- away with it. I struck hard, and as I 
did so a huge tarpon hurled himself twice out of the water not 
twenty yards from the boat, and immediately started off across the 
bay. Holding the rod high up, I gave it all the strain I dared ; but 
despite it all, the splendid 
fish towed us fully half a mile 
before showing any signs of 
fatigue. Slowly and gently 
I "reeled him in," as the 
strain relaxed, until we could 
see him not more than ten 
feet from us. Gradually I 
drew him nearer and nearer, 
while Will leaned over the 
side of the boat, holding in 
his hand a huge gaff, which, 
the next moment, was fast- 
ened in the side of the tarpon. 
A short struggle and a large specimen of the most magnificent game 
fish in the world lay on the bottom of the boat, glittering brilliantly 
in the sunlight, one sparkle of silver, blue, and gold. 

As I wished to preserve the skin and the dav was warm. Will 
advised returning home at once ; so we turned the boat and rowed 
back, having had sport enough for one day. Although larger fish 
are often caught, my first tarpon proved a good one, measuring six 
feet one inch in length, and weighing 120^< pounds. 




A TARPON'. 



HUNTING GROUNDS OF FLORIDA. 



To those who do not desire to rough it, but wish to have an 
occasional outing with the gun and dog, Florida offers the rather 
unusual combination of very good sport in the immediate vicinity 
of comfortable hotels. 

^ From Jacksonville it is but a short distance to the mouth of the 
St. John's River; and in the vicinity of Pilot Town, and Mayport, 




A "POINT" ON QUAIL. 

and about Fort George Islands, fair bird shooting may be had at the 
right season. Plover and yellow-legs abound during the migrations, 
and in the old days Talbot Island was an especially good place for 
curlew. With good dogs and a guide who knows the country, fair 
bags of quail and snipe may be made within easy driving distance 
of either Jacksonville or St. Augustine. A few bears and deer still 
linger in the swamps between Jacksonville and Pilot Town, but for 

80 



HUNTING GROUNDS OF FLORIDA. 



this kind of shooting one 
should go farther South 
into a more unsettled 
country. 

Qiiail a r e abundant 
throughout Florida. The 
best quail shooting which 
I have e\'er enjoyed I 
had at what is known as 
Dago Prairie, about fif- 
teen miles from Enter- 
prise, on the St. John's 
River. Enterprise at one 

TOM 

time was noted for its 

quail-shooting. On one occasion, using three dogs, I found fourteen 
coveys, and killed eighty-two birds with a twenty-gauge gun, reach- 
ing the hotel before dark. This occurred several years ago, and 
probably better sport may now be had in the flat woods west of Lake 
Worth or south of Tampa. I merely mention Lake Worth and Tampa 
as there are good hotels at both places, but as far as the quail shoot- 
ing is concerned it may be had almost everywhere in South Florida. 





ROBIN AND PRI.N'CR "POINTINC" QUAII,. 



82 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



Dogs are absolutely essential to successful quail hunting. Of 
course, while driving through the woods, if a flock is " flushed " a 
few may be killed by kicking about in the bushes where they are 
seen to alight, but I personally am not partial to this method of 
quail hunting, as I am always afraid that I might kick a rattlesnake 
instead of a quail. It is well to take a good dog with you from the 
North, as well-trained dogs are very scarce in Florida. A fast dog 
that ranges well is the kind most adapted to quail hunting in Florida, 
which is usually done from wagons or on horseback. When a 
wagon is used it is driven slowly through the " flat woods " until 

the dogs, who cover the ground 
well and " range wide," as it is 
called, find a covey of birds. 
Then the hunter leaves the 
wagon, shoots what he can out 
of that covey, and drives on to 
seek for another. 

In the old days Sanford was 
not in existence, and a little town 
called Mellonville ( located a 
short distance south of the pres- 
ent site of Sanford) was the only town on the west side of the lake. 
A line of steamers was then running from Enterprise up the St. John's 
River, passing through Lake Jessop and Lake Harney to Salt Lake 
and part of the time beyond that as far as Lake Poinset, but the line 
was discontinued years ago. 

Quail and snipe are still abundant along the shores of the upper 
St. John's in favorable localities, and in past years alligators were 
numerous, but these last have nearly all been killed off. Of course 
a few are left, but they are very shy, and a large one is of rare occur- 
rence. 

Deep Creek, which was atone time a famous turkey countr}', joins 
the St. John's River near where it enters Lake Harney, directly 
opposite what is known as Cook's Ferry. 

The bass fishing near Lake Harney and on Lake Jessop has 




HUNTING (GROUNDS OF I'LORIOA. 



83 



always been excellent, and is probably so still, although the shad 
fishers, who of late years have been using a seine near Lake Mun- 
roe, have injured the fishing to some extent. Bass have been taken 
from Lake Jessop which weighed over thirteen pounds, and there is 
a record of one beint; caught in a small lake in Northern Florida 
which weighed nineteen pounds. Of course these are the Large- 
mouthed Black Bass, and not its Northern congener, the small-mouthed 
species. 

The St. John's River is usually navigable as far as Salt Lake, but 
above that it is often choked with floating water plants. Occasion- 
ally a small boat can iyo nearly to Lake Washington, but beyond 




ROBIN AND PRINCE. 



Lake Poinset it is ditficult to force a passage through the water 
plants, which are so rarely disturbed that they grow in a mass ver}- 
difficult to penetrate. 

Above Lake Jessop, on the prairies bordering the river, snipe 
shooting is particularly good at some seasons, and all through the 
country between St. John's River and the Indian River quail and 
snipe are abundant in the season. A few ducks may nearly always 



84 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

be found along the St. John's River and in and about the small lakes 
which abound in the interior. 

Following down the coast from Jacksonville, we come to the well- 
known shooting grounds near Oak Hill, although, as I have re- 
marked before, any one desiring to simply hunt quail and snipe may 
get fair sport at almost any of the small towns on the line of the 
road. 

At Oak Hill there is a small hotel kept by Frank Sams, who is 
also the proprietor of the hotel at New Smyrna. Oak Hill is situated 

at the head of the Indian River, 
and fine duck shooting may be 
had there at times. Deer mav 
also be killed in this vicinity, 
although they are not as plenty 
as formerly. There are parts of 
the old Turnbull Swamp where 
turkeys are still common enough, 
but difficult to get at, and one or 
more bears are usually killed bv 
hunters from Oak Hill in and 
about the swamp during the season. 

The country below Oak Hill on the east coast is the property of 
the Canaveral Shooting Club and is not open to the public. Ducks 
are numerous, as bears were also at one time, but I have assisted 
in reducing their number considerably in that locality. 

From Titusville southward there are many places on the Indian 
River where good duck shooting may be had. In the vicinity of 
the Ten Thousand Islands the duck shooting is sometimes very 
good. 

At one time ducks came in great numbers to pass the winter on 
the east coast of Florida, attracted there by an abundance of their 
favorite food. A bag of one hundred birds in a day's shooting over 
decoys or " stools " was not uncommon. I must plead guilty to hav- 
ing done this myself on one or two occasions, but none of the birds 
were wasted, and I am glad to say that I have many times killed 




HUNTING GROUNDS OF FLORIDA. 85 

tvventy-tive or thirty ducks in a couple of hours and stopped shooting 
when I could easily have killed many more than one hundred had I 
desired to do so. Early in the season, when the ducks lirst arrive, 
immense numbers are killed by the "pot hunters," who use heavy 
guns and shoot into the flocks when bunched together in the water. 
Of course such continual slaughter must necessarily reduce the 




DUCK SHOOTING WITH DECOYS. 

number of ducks which annualW visit Florida, and already it is evi- 
dent that their numbers are materially lessened, although they still 
return, each year, in vast numbers. At some of the small Indian 
River towns it was by no means unusual to see large flocks of ducks 
" bedded" within a short distance of a wharf, where shooting was 
prohibited. They soon learned that they were safe there and paid 
no attention whatever to the people who stood and watched them 



86 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



from the shore within easy 
shootin<{ distance. But those 
same ducks, when out on the 
river, would not allow a boat 
to approach within gunshot 
of them. 

The most common species 

of duck on the Indian River 

is the Bluebill or Blackhead, 

but "there are others." The 

Widgeon and Pintail are 

abundant, and the Shoveller, 

Blue and Green-wing Teal, 

Ringneck, and Rudd}- Duck 

^ '^"' "^"- are also common. Gadwells 

and Black Ducks (both Northern and Florida) are not uncommon in 

places, while various other species occur more or less commonly, 

according to the severitv of the Northern winter. 




^■*^Vv-^s^ k 



^sssm 




WILD DUCKS. 



IIUN'PING CROl'NDS OK 1 IX)R1I).\. 



«7 



Along the be.ich between Indian Ri\er and tlie ocean is a par- 
ticularly tine hunting ground for bears. Thev are connnon in 
many localities, but trained dogs are required to hunt them suc- 
cessfully. 

A few deer also occur in that countr\', but for deer it would be 
better to go into the interior, and one can nearh- always get a guide 
at an^' of the smaller towns. Ten miles from the north fork of the 
St. LfUcie River \vas at one time a particidarly noted hunting 
ground, and during my tirst \isit to that locality game was yery 
plenty. It was at St. Lucie in 1S85 that I iiad my hrst experience 
with what is known in Florida as a shooting match, where the prize 



'^<.JaiMl[!iMNHte<' 



**«i«p*>PWHi» 









WII.D DUCKS. 



is a bull or cow, which is rounded up and dri\en in from the " bush '" 
for the occasion. "-Alligator"" Jim Russell was a particularly 
noted character at this time, and was also considered a yery good 
shot. He and the Payne bo\s and two or three others, whose 
names I haye unfortunately forgotten, took part in this contest. 

Each contestant paid a dollar to the owner of the animal and was 
allowed tiye chances. The target was a piece of bark fastened to 
a tree, about one hundred yards distant. 

We tirst competed for choice of the " hind quarters," each man 
shooting once and the one hitting nearest the center of the bull's 
eye being adjudged the winner. We then tried again for the re- 
maining hind quarter, and again for the choice of the fore quarters. 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



and so on, the last and fifth prize being the hide and tallow. " Al- 
ligator " Jim Russell was the life of the occasion, discoursing upon 
the great numbers of enormous alligators he had killed and the 
wonderful shooting he had done ; but on this occasion his wonted 
skill failed him, and the writer succeeded in winning three of the 

four quarters, so that our boat 
had fresh "beef" (forgive 
me, thou shades of Chicago 
bovines,) for several days in 
consequence. 

There is at times very good 
fishing at Indian Inlet, which 
is nearly opposite Fort Cap- 
ron, and the long, narrow, 
sandy peninsula which separ- 
ates the Indian River and the 
ocean is covered with pal- 
metto scrub and scattered 
hummocks in which small 
game (and large, also, for 
that matter) is abundant in 
places, but of course one 
must know the country to 
have good sport. 

Turkeys are not found on 
tlj^ peninsula, but bears, deer, 
and an occasional panther 
may be killed by those who 
WILD CAT CLIMBING A TREE. t4 kuow liow " aud arc willing 

to work. Small game, such as wildcats, coons, and opossum, 
are very numerous. I do not, as a rule, allow my young 
hounds 'to run wildcats, but occasionally, when other game 
was scarce, I have put the older dogs on the track of a cat to give 
them a run. Cats have a habit of running in a circle, going over 
the same trail again and again, unless they are hard pushed. Some- 




HUNTING GROUNDS OK FUORIDA. 



89 



times the y r u n 
straight for a long 
distance and then 
take to a tree. At 
o t h e r times, espe- 
cially in South Flor- 
ida, they often do not 
attempt to c 1 i m b a 
tree at all, and I have 
killed a number of 
cats on the ground 
where the dogs had 
run them into a thick 
place, sometimes di- 
rectly at the foot of a 
large tree, when thev 





liave made no attempt 
to climb it. On one or 
two occasions ni\- large 
bear dog. Tiger, has 
caught a cat on the 
ground and killed it 
alone, usually getting 
somewhat scratched in 
the encounter, but none 
of the other dogs have 
cared to attempt this 
feat. On one occasion 
I heard tlie dogs com- 
ing towards me, as I 
stood in a small, sandy 
opening, and obtained 
a rather crude photo- 
graph of a wildcat with 



Wll.li r \r. 



90 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 




AFTER A WILD CAT. 

not quick enough. I 
have seen good-sized 
coons run up a small 
bush when closely 
pressed and no large 
trees were handy. On 
one occasion the bush 
was not high enough 
to be out of reach of 
the dogs, and they soon 
had him down. An- 
other time the dogs 
discovered two coons 
in a small open prairie, 
and for a few moments 
they had a lively time, 
as a full-grown coon 
knows how to bite and 
is a good fighter. 



the dogs in full chase as 
she passed me in the open. 
Coons are very num- 
erous, but usually only 
wander about at night, al- 
though I have occasionally 
seen them on the edge of 
the mangrove swamps in 
the daytime. Young dogs 
often find them while hunt- 
ing for other game. A 
coon will climb a tree 
when he has a chance, if 
he hears the dogs near 
him ; but sometimes he is 




LARGE WILD CAT. 



HUNTING GROUNDS OF FLORIDA. 



91 



Opossums are common 
almost everywhere, but 
they are rarely seen, being 
nocturnal in their habits, 
although I have occasion- 
allv found one in the 
woods in the daytime. 
The}' move a w a y v e r y 
slowly, and if touched 
will curl themselves into 
a ball and play d e a d . 
They are rather ugly little 
beasts, however, and can 
bite viciously if one is care- 
less enough to give them 
a chance, although the}' may be 
perfectly still, "playing 'possum, 





held up by the tail and will keep 
' as the old saying is. Opossums 
are a nuisance to any one who 
desires to catch specimens of 
the smaller Florida rodents, 
as thev are always getting into 
the traps. 

Followin<j the Indian River 
th r o u g h the Narrows, we 
reach Jupiter Inlet, noted as a 
hshin<r resort, and then a few 
minutes bv train brings us to 
Lake Worth, known to the 
Indians by the name of Hypo- 
luxo. 

At Palm Beach the tisher- 
man may obtain the hnest 
kind of sport, together with 
the comforts of a good hotel. 
At the Hotel Royal Poinciana 



92 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 




AN UNFAIR FIi;HT. 



L' boats and men may 

be obtained by those 
' . '-'•^iMifliHll desiring either fresh 
or salt water fishing. 
The sport, especially 
f o r Kingfish, can 
hardly be excelled, 
as catches number- 
ing as high as 120 
fish or more have 
been taken b}^ one 
boat in a day. Va- 
rious other kinds of 

salt water fish are caught in great numbers, including Bluefish, 

Spanish Mackerel, Sea-bass, and at times the huge Jew-fish. 

For Black Bass fishing the fresh water lake west of Lake Worth 

is of easy access, as a shell road has been built directly to it. 
South and west of Palm 

Beach lies a hunting country 

"par excellence." Beyond 

the lake, in the country west 

of Palm Beach, from Jupiter 

Creek (Loxahatchee) south- 
ward, game is still abundant. 
From Lantana, on Lake 

Worth, one may drive on the 

country road (which extends 

to Biscayne Bay) south to 

Hillsboro River, a distance of 

about twenty miles, and find 

t£ood deer shooting in that 

vicinity. If one desires a 

camping trip along the Ever- 
glades, he should leave the 

county road about half way to 

OPOSSUM. 










HUNTING GROUNDS OF FLORIDA. 



the Hillsboro River, at a place opposite the government Hfe-sa\ino- 
station. There is an old pump in the road at this place, and Robert 
Osceola used to camp there a few days every sprint^ while deer 
hunting. Leaving the road and riding southwest some tive miles, 
one passes between the upper and lower chain of lakes, and this 
crossing is the only one suitable for wagons for a distance of thirty 
miles. The swampy lakes are connected by a little creek called 
Little Fish Crossing. From this point it is less than a mile to 
the old government trail which runs north, crossing Jupiter Creek 

(Loxahatchee), and 
south until it joins 
the c o u n t y road, 
about t w o mile s 
n () r t h of Cvpress 
Creek. Old marks 
of the ax " blazes " 
mav still be seen on 
the trees, and occa- 
sionally a wagon 
track where some 
hunter or cattle- 
driver has followed 
the old trail. Sand- 
hill Cranes, turkeys, 
and quail are abun- 
dant throughout this country : but bears are rare and panthers 
keep themselves to the edge of the Everglades in the heavy 
timber. Parties desiring to hunt this country would do well to have 
their wagons meet them on the old government trail west of Lake 
Worth. Thev could then hunt the countrv soutii, comiiiii^ out on 
the count}' road near Cypress Creek. There is only one bad 
crossing, and that is at the head of the south fork of the Millsboro 
River. The country to the west of the old trail is " flat woods " and 
hummocks, interspersed with cypress ponds, which become more 
plentiful as we near the Everglades. Many of these ponds are not 




A (iREAT DAY FOR KIXCFISI 1 . 



94 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



" boggy," and may be crossed anywhere on horseback; but others 
are not to be trusted. Any pond may be safely crossed in which 
the low bush grows which, as Jack Davis describes it, "favors a 
small pine." South from Hillsboro, a distance of about twelve 
miles, we cross Cypress Creek, at the head of which is an old 
Indian Camp owned by Osceola, where the Indians build their 




THORNTON'S CAMP, HILLSBORO RIVEK. 

canoes, the cypress trees in that vicinity being particular!}- large 
and tine. Cypress Creek is noted for the abundance of turkeys in 
that vicinity, and alligators are still numerous in its waters, which 
may be accounted for by the fact that it is not navigable for boats, 
being shallow and filled with logs. It also has the reputation of 



HUNTING GROUNDS OF FLORIDA, 



95 



being a particularly good location for large rattlesnakes. At times 
panthers are common here. I have seen the tracks of three panthers 
made the same night near Cypress Creek bridge ; two of the ani- 
mals crossed the bridge and followed the sandy road for some 
distance. 

From Cypress Creek to Middle River is about four miles. Middle 




THE OLD PUMP. 



River joins Snook Creek about a mile to the^east of the county 
road, and both empty into what is now called New River Sound. 
From Middle Ri\'er to Snook Creek is about one mile by the 



96 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



county road. The fishing in Snook Creek is ver}- fine at times, as 
both Black Bass and various salt water species (Snapper, Cavalier, 
etc.,) are numerous. Three miles south from Snook Creek by the 
county road we reach New River, where one finds a comfortable 
camp owned by Mr. Frank Stranahan, and usually passengers 
bound for Biscayne Bay stop over night at this point. The canal 
has lately been completed as far as New River, and the railroad will 




THE EDGE OF THE EVERGLADES. 



next vear be extended to Biscayne Bay. At present a stage ride 
from Lantana to Lemon City, Biscayne Bay, occupies nearly two 
days. When the railroad is finished the trip may be made in two 
hours. These improvements, which will make the country so ver}- 
easy of access, will ha\e a decided influence on the hunting and 
fishing. 

New River (New-la-pee) flows east and enters into New River 



HUNTINC; (iliOlNDS OJ" I'LORIDA. 



97 



Sound, which, in turn, opens into the ocean five miles farther to the 
soutJK New River is very deep in phices and is one of tlie best 
localities on the coast for manatee. It is the favorite hunting- 
ground of the Indians when thev desire to kill one of those ani- 




lOHN D.WIS. 



mals. Several of the Indians have permanent camps on New 
River. Tom Tiger, Robert Osceola, Jumper, Old Tom, Old 
Charlie, and Tom-a-luske all have camps there. In the upper 



98 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



north fork of the river fine bass fishing may be had, and there are 
usually a few ducks about, but there is very little else in the way 
of game, deer and turkey being scarce in that vicinity. 

Continuing south from New River, again following the county 
road, a drive of thirteen or fourteen miles takes one to Snake 
Creek (Car-chee-pap-kee) ; then comes Arch Creek (Char-to-fee-na), 



-Ijlllliiiil] 






^s 





^\/A' wkir V^ s ! W^ .'V' /'I N'j;^ 




A SAND HILL CRANE'S NEST. 



and next Little River (She-la-coo-ho-co-chee), which is about 
twenty-four miles from New River, and about a mile from Lemon 
City on Biscayne Bay. 

There is very little game in this country except quail (and ducks 
in some places), which are common enough, but the country is not 



HUNTING GROUNDS OF PLORIDA. 



99 



one which gives promise of much sport in tlie way of hir<re <rame 
huntintr. " ^ ^ 

After passing Snake Creek the country becomes high and rocky 
and one begins to notice a variety of butterflies which have not 
been seen before, and in the hummocks through which the road 
passes pretty yellow and white tree-snails are not uncommon. 

The country between Lemon City and Miami is high and rocky 
Qiiail are abundant, and ducks are numerous at certain seasons in 




DEAD SHARK, NEW RIVER INLET. 



Dumbfoundland Bay and Indian Creek. This creek was at one 
time a favorite resort for crocodiles ; but they have lately become 
shy and are rarel}- seen. 



lOO 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



The Miami River, which runs from the Everglades into Biscayne 
Bay, is probably the only river in Florida which has a fall or rapid 
worthy of the name. For about a half a mile at the head of this 
stream there is considerable fall. x\t this point the river is shallow 
and not navigable for boats, and has a very rapid current, in 
which "• Cavalia '" ( Caroux hippus) are numerous and may be taken 
with an artificial trout fly. At the head of the Miami River the 
great Everglade swamp opens out before one like an immense, 
shallow, grassy lake. Throughout the Everglades numerous islands, 
large and small, are scattered about. Some of them are several 

miles in extent and 
ver}^ fertile, but, luck- 
ily for the Indians, 
they are ^^ery difficult 
of access, which has 
prevented them from 
being occupied by 
white men up to the 
present time. In the 
fall the water in the 
Everglades i s high 
enough to allow the 
use of canoes and small 
boats, but in winter and spring it gradually lowers until boat navi- 
gation is dithcult, and in many places impossible, and the character 
of the ground is such as to render it useless to attempt any other 
means of locomotion. 

The Indians go from the east coast to the Big Cypress Swamp 
during the summer and fall in their canoes. This can only be 
done when the water is high and under the guidance of a person 
who thoroughly knows the country. 

From New River to Biscayne Bay and the southern end of Florida 
there are several good men, able to guide a hunting party, and who 
know the country- well. Among them may be mentioned William 
Freeman, who lives at Little River, about a mile from Lemon City. 




HUNTING <;R0UX1)S Ol' I-LOKIDA. 



lOI 



For the country between New River and St. Lucie River, and, in 
fact, inckidino- the Biscayne Bay country, there is no better guide than 
John Davis, wdio has Hved almost his entire hfe in the woods, and is 








ai:i''i^3i&^i^^ 







THE MIAMI Ur.l.K KAI'IDS. 



one of the few real hunters and trappers who could be called a thor- 
ough woodsman. Where the county road crosses the Hillsboro 
River, the only settler in that vicinity, by name William Thornton, is 



I02 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



sometimes willing to act as guide for parties who desire deer hunting, 
and last year he had one or two fair dogs. 

While on the subject of hunters I cannot leave out my old hunting 




MIAMI RIVER. 



companion, Mr. O. A. Qviartermain, who is, in my opinion, the best 
hunter on the Indian River, and his record of fifty-one deer and 
fourteen bears in one season is a hard one to beat. Of late years 



HUNTING GROUNDS OF FLORIDA. 



103 



he has done but Httle hunting, and at present has cliarge of the life- 
saving station at Chester Shoals, Fla. 

On the keys about Biscayne Bay beach birds are numerous, and 




JOHN DAVIS. 

quail are abundant in the pine woods. The birds are plent}' enough, 
but the rocky country is a bad one for dogs. The fishing in Bis- 
cayne Bay, or in its vicinity, is particularly tine, and just outside the 



I04 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



bay among the reefs is probably one of the finest fishing grounds on 
the Florida coast. Tarpon are abundant in the bay and run up 
many of the rivers. Of course the Tarpon is the king of all Florida 
o-ame fishes, and phlegmatic indeed must be the man who does not 
feel a thrill of excitement when the magnificent fish hurls himself 
completely out of the water again and again, shaking his head 
savagely in his frantic efforts to dislodge the hook. May and June 
are the best months for Tarpon fishing ; but good sport may be had in 
April and sometimes in March, and a few fish are taken during the 
w^inter months by patient and enthusiastic fishermen. Tarpon are 
numerous in Biscayne Bay, and very fine fishing may sometimes be 
had at Steamboat Creek at the south end of the bay. 

All kinds of fishing may be had in and about Biscayne Bay. 
Kingfish are unusually abundant ; perhaps the very best place for King- 
fish is near the black and white channel buoy off Cape Florida. For 
those who enjoy bottom fishing and want large fish and plenty of 
them, I would advise them to try in the vicinity of Alligator Reef 
Lighthouse, where the fishing is most excellent. 

Crocodiles are to be found in Biscayne Bay, but in most cases 
they are very shv and difficult to shoot. Continuing farther south 
from Card Sound into Barnes Sound, crocodiles are more numerous 
and not nearly so shy. From Cutler going south, the road, if it may 
be called one, is very bad, and one enters a country which is rarely 
visited by a white man. It is rocky pine land, bordered by a low 
and wide marshy prairie and occasional mangrove swamps. In 
these prairies deer are abundant and very tame. They are rarely 
hunted, as but few white men have ever been in this country, and it 
is too far away from any settlement for an Indian to carry out game 
to sell. 

Deer are numerous and wolves commence to appear in some places 
east of Whitewater Bay. A few panthers wander about this country, 
but they are not numerous. In some of the ponds and marshes alli- 
gators are plentiful, and many of them are large, as that country is 
seldom visited by hunters. Deer and bears were at one time com- 
mon on the larger kevs, but there are few left on them now. 



HUNTING <;1<()1:M)S oi' II.ORIDA. lO^ 

Southeast of Cape Sable is about the only phice where llaniingoes 
still exist in Florida in any numbers, and a colony or two of them 
l)reed there eyery year. This is a country yery ditKcuh of access, 
and the birds are yery shy and are rarely seen, nuich less kiUed. 

On the Bahama Islands, only a short distance from the Florida 
coast, there are colonies of thousands of tlamini;-oes, and their e^-crs 
are g-athered in numbers by the inhabitants. It is probable that the 
Florida contingent is occasionally reenforced from the Bahamas, 
although the bird was at one time undoubtedly common in Florida. 
Water-birds are abundant about some of the ke^■s. A few pelicans, 
cormorants, gulls, and man-o'-war hawks may be seen almost any 
time, as well as ducks and an occasional heron. 

In some places on the w^est coast game is yer\- abundant. We 
hear of the abundance of game in the country about the Steinhatchee 
Riyer : but I know but little of it personally and cannot youch for the 
truth of the statement. From Cedar Ke^'s southward there is plenty 
of game, but the country is rather ditlicult of access. Near such 
w^ell-known places as Ilomosassa and Tarpon Springs deer and 
turkeys are numerous in some localities : but they do not come out of 
the woods and wait to be killed, and one lias to haye a guide who 
knows the country, as well as properly trained dogs, to insure a suc- 
cessful trip. 

Tampa has grown to the dignity of a city, and naturally large 
game has been driyen back, but tine bags of quail and snipe are 
made by the guests of the hotel, and guides and dogs are furnished 
those desiring to indulge in the sport. Arthur Schleman, who is 
at present located at Tampa, owns seyeral dogs and knows the 
country about Tampa. 

There are sex'eral small riyers near Tampa, and fair shooting ma\' 
sometimes be had. An occasional deer and turkey still linirer. 
Alligators are also to be found, but, as in other portions of Florida 
which haye become setded, they are not numerous and are yery shy. 
Good tishing may be had witliin a short distance of Tampa b}- those 
who care for it. For Tarpon, one must go farther south to get good 
sport, and it should be borne in mind that nowhere is the Tarpon 



jo6 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

fishing really good until quite late in the season. Occasionally good- 
sized fish are caught during the winter months, but it is well known 
that Tarpon do not bite well until the warm weather sets in. A good 
many Tarpon have been caught near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee 
River and above Fort Myers near Beautiful Island. 

I have enjoyed good fishing at Captiva Pass opposite Pine Island ; 
here Tarpon are sometimes very numerous and other kinds of fish are 
plentiful enough. South of Ostero Bay at Big Hickory Pass is one 
of the best fishing grounds in Florida, and several men have had 
excellent flv fishing at this point. Mr. George Mixter, of Boston, 
Mass., was kind enough to give me the following list of the species 
he has taken at Hickory Pass, using a large silver-bodied fly : — 

Sea-trout (Cynoscian maculata). 

Redfish or Channel Bass (Sciocua occllata). 

Cavalia ( Caroitx hippus). 

Rovallier or Snook (Antropomus tindcciinalis). 

Spanish Mackerel (S. maciilatiis). 
And I believe he has since taken others. 

The huge Jew-fish (Epcncphclus nigyitus) is common about 
Ostero Bay, and in Surveyor's Creek Tarpon are numerous in their 

season. 

At Big Shark River Mr. Mixter tells me he succeeded in making 
a very small Tarpon take a fly. He used a large silver-bodied speci- 
men and fished during the flood tide, which at that point runs like a 

mill-race. 

For those who are devotees of the harpoon, the great Devil-fish 
(Mania birostr/s) ?ind the various sharks will afford them all the 
sport in that line they desire. 

Probably the finest food fish in southern waters is the Pompano 
(Trachinatus ornatus), which is very numerous along the coast of 
Florida, but which is rarely taken with hook and line except at Key 
West, where, curiously enough, it is often taken in that manner. 

Some years ago the writer made a trip from Fort Myers up the 
Caloosahatchee River into Lake Okeechobee, Fish-eafing Creek, 
and other places, and then continued on up the Kissimmee River to 



IIUNTI\(; GROUNDS OF FLORIDA. IO7 

the town of that name. The coiintry in the vicinity of Lake 
Okeechobee was at that time hlled with o-june. 

Deer, tnrkeys, cranes, and alH^ators were ver\- numerous. C^^iail 
and snipe were to be liad in numbers, ahhouoh thev were as not 
plenty as they are sometimes farther north, in the country al)out 
Lake Kissimmee. Ducks were not numerous and were conlined to 
two or three species. 

Southeast from Fort JNIyers about seventy-live miles, hes the Big 
Cypress Swamp, which is the hunting ground of the Seminole 
Indians. This is to-day one of the best localities in Florida for all 
kinds of large game. The advent of the white man is not looked 
upon with icivov by the Indians, and they do not encourao-e his 
presence in what they believe to be their country. The best way to 
get to the Big Cypress hunting grounds is by wagon from Fort 
Myers : but I am informed it may also be reached by going np the 
Chockeloskee River as far as it is navigable by boat and then mak- 
ing a " carry " of about three miles. I have never made this trip 
and cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information. 

After the middle of April the mosquitoes become verv troublesome 
on the Keys : but the weather is most delightful, and the fishing im- 
proves with the warm weather. Northwestern Florida is rarely 
yisited by the sportsman, but those who have hunted in that portion 
of the State claim that game is abundant. Ducks and beach birds 
are at times plenty in the vicinity of St. Joseph's Bay and also about 
Santa Rosa Island and Pensacola Bay. Turkeys and deer are 
claimed to be very abundant in some of the counties to the north of 
Cedar Keys, but they are rarely visited and there is little accommo- 
dation for the traveler. At present such fine shooting may be had 
in places easy of access that there is little to tempt one to explore 
these out-of-the-way localities ; but a day will come when North- 
western Florida will have to be sought by the hunter wdio desires 
good sport. 

In the vicinity of Tallahassee the country and climate is delight- 
ful, and fair quail shooting is to be had within driving distance of 
the city. Farther to the west, however, deer and turkeys are 



I08 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

numerous. On one occasion, when stepping off the train nearMoss}'" 
Head, I saw several wild turkeys offered for sale by some negroes, 
who claimed they were very common, and also that deer were plenty 
in that part of the country. 



THE MAMMALS OF FLORIDA. 

Family FELID.E. The Cats. 

FELfS CONCOLOR FLORIDANA S//I>s/>. Nov. 
Panther, Cougar, Puma. 

Not uncommon in the unsettled portions of the State. 

The Florida Panther is apparently separable, at least, subspe- 
citically, from its more Northern congener, which it resembles in 
general marking, but differs in being more rufous or reddish brown 
in color, and in having the legs relatively longer and the feet de- 
cidedly smaller. 

A most noticeable character in the Florida animal is the small 
size of the foot. Several Northern examples which I have exam- 
ined have the foot at least four inches broad, while those of a 
Florida specimen of equal size would not exceed three inches. 

A female which I killed in April, 1895, measured about seven 
feet from nose to tip of tail, and her forefoot measured two and 
seven eighths inches in width. In a Colorado specimen of about the 
same length the foot measured four and one eighth inches at the 
widest part, and another specimen three and seven eighths inches. * 

It is rare that a Florida Panther exceeds nine feet in len«-th, 
although it is claimed that they occasionally grow larger. Both 
Maynard and Chapman mention hearing of a large, spotted, lon<>-- 
tailed cat, and suggest the possibility that it miglit be Fclis oiira. 
I have never met with an Indian who had seen or heard of such an 
animal. There is, however, an animal still living (or he was in 
April, 1895,) in Florida, whose tracks are at least a third larger 
than any Florida Panther I have ever seen. 

However, if he is ever killed (and I hope to sometime see his 

* A young Panther cub is tawny brown in color, marked with numerous large, irregular, brownish-black spots. 
The cry of the cub resembles the screech of a Parrot, but it often utters a soft whistle. The cry of the old 
Panther somewhat resambles the screech of a Parrot, but is much louder. 



log 



no HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

snarling- face over the sights of my rifle), he will probably prove to 
be a very old and unusually large male J^clis con color -floridana. 

Panthers kill many small mammals, as well as deer, when they 
can get them. They are very fond of hogs, and a good place to 
look for a panther is in the vicinity of some drove of semi-wild pigs. 
When once a panther becomes a " pig eater" he prefers pig to any 
other kind of food. 

-LYNX RUFU5 FLORIDANUS {Raf.). 
Florida Wildcat. 

Common. Some specimens are large and spotted on the sides 
and flanks, and are more rufous than Northern specimens. I have 
killed one old male which measured forty inches from tip of nose to 
tail, and stood twenty inches high at the shoulder. 

Family CANID.E. The Wolves and Foxes. 

CANIS LUPUS QRISEO=ALBUS (Z/////.). 
Wolf. 

Still not uncommon in some localities. In the vicinity of the 
Big Cypress and in extreme Southern Florida wolves still 
occur in some numbers. A wolf was seen in the spring of 1895 
near Little Fish Crossin*^, southwest of Lake Worth. The^' are 
usualh" black, although examples have been killed which were 
brown, shading into gray on the belly and breast. 

I have heard of gray woh'es in Florida, but ha^'e ne\er seen 
one. Robert Osceola killed a female with two cubs near the Big 
Cypress in the spring of 1894. He captured the little ones alive 
and took them to his camp : but they would not eat, and, after 
keeping them a day or two, he killed them. The mother and both 
pups were black. 

UROCYON CINEREO - ARQENTATUS {Mull.). 

Gray Fox, 

Common, l^^lorida foxes are somewhat smaller and grayer on the 
l-)ack than those found farther north. 



THE MAMMALS Ol^ I'LOKIDA. Ill 

FAAriT.Y MUSTELID.E. The Weasels, Skunks, etc. 

PUT0RIU5 ERMINA PENINSUL/E {K/toads.). 
Florida Weasel. 

As far as I am aware but two examples of this interesting mam- 
mal have as yet been recorded from Florida, one from Pasco 
County (the type), and the other from Gainesx'ille, by Mr. Chapman. 

LUTREOLA VISON {^Schreber). 
nink. 

Probabl}' not uncommon, but rarely seen. T ha\e specimens 
taken near St. Augustine, and Mr. Maynard gives it as "very 
plenty on the coast near Cedar Keys," and states that he saw one 
at Blue Springs. 

LUTRA CANADENSIS {Sc/ircbcr). 
Otter. 

Still very common in some localities, but becoming less so every 
^•ear. 

HEPHITIS MEPHITICA h'ain/. 

Common Skunk. 

This skunk seems not to be uncommon in Northern Florida : it 
is rare as far south as Titusville, and the Indians claim it does not 
occur south of New Ri\'er. Some specimens are comparatively 
small and nearly black. 

SPILOQALE PUTORIUS (Z/>///.). 
Little Striped Skunk. 

This pretty little species, which is about the size of a kitten, is 
very common in some localities on the east coast. I found it numer- 
ous near Cape Canaveral, and specimens have been taken as far 
south as New River. Dr. Merriam records a specimen from Kis- 
simmee Prairie (N. x\. Fauna, p. 7, No. 9, 1890). 

This little skunk is \'ery fond of mice, and it is often tamed and 
kept about houses for the purpose of clearing them of those ani- 
mals. In some instances the scent glands are remoxed, but not 
alwa\'s. I am told thev soon become ver\' Lientle and tame. 



112 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

Family PROCYONID.^. The Raccoons. 

PROCYON LOTOR {Linn.). 
Raccoon. 

Common. Somewhat smaller and more rusty in color than North- 
ern specimens. 

In Florida the raccoon likes swamp}^ places ; it is usually com- 
mon near the seacoast, as it is particularly partial to crabs and fish. 

Family URSID.E. The Bears. 

URSUS AMERICANU5 Fall. 
Black Bear. 

Most common near the seacoast in unsettled portions of the 
State. The Florida bear equals and perhaps exceeds in size its 
Northern relative. 

Bears are claimed to have been killed which weighed over six 
hundred pounds, and I, myself, have shot specimens which would 
weigh in the vicinity of five hundred pounds. One large male 
which 1 did not weigh measured fifty-six inches (tight measure) 
around the belly, and six feet two and one half inches from nose 
to tail. This bear was fat and in good condidon. One of the claws 
measured three and one fourth inches, measured on the cur\'e. 

The Black Bear hibernates in Florida, as it does elsewhere in the 
United States, usually remaining hidden from about Christmas time 
undl March. The fiesh of a young one is palatable, and the oil is 
mucli esteemed bv the Indians and hunters, and is used for cooking 
purposes as a substitute for lard. 

Late in the fall bears seek localities where berries of the "scrub" 
palmetto are abundant, in some seasons. When berries are abund- 
ant the bears become very fat. x\fter their winter sleep they 
wander about a good deal, feeding upon the crabs which they find 
on the beach and the buds of the mangrove trees, as well as the 
cabbage of tlie palmetto palm, and at this season a pig is a welcome 
addidon to their larder. Sdll later in the season, during June, 
thevhunt the beaches for turtles" eggs, of which they are very fond. 



the mammals oj' florida. ii3 

Family CERVID.E. The Deer. 

CARIACUS VIRQINIANUS {Bodd.). 
Deer. 

Deer are still very numerous in the less settled portions of the 
State. The Florida deer is a small Southern race of the Virginia 
species. A full-grown buck will often weigh less than one hundred 
pounds, and I have killed yearling bucks which weighed under 
ninety pounds. 

Of course it is not unusual to find considerably larger specimens, 
but the average Florida deer is small. I have been told that deer 
have been killed in Northern Florida which would weigh nearly 
two hundred pounds. The bucks drop their liorns about tlie lirst (jf 
February. 

Family MANATID.E. The Manatees. 

TRICHECHUS LATIROSTRIS Har/a/i. 
Manatee. 

The manatee occurs commonly in many of the bays and ri\ers 
of South Florida. It lives equally in salt and fresh water, going 
into the rivers to feed on the grass, and, as some authors claim, the 
leaves of the mangrove trees. 

They were at one time abundant in the St. Lucie River, and a 
number have been captured ali\'e in that river in rope-nets made for 
the purpose. 

Although of such great size, it is a gentle, harmless animal, ^■ery 
timid and shy. The tlesh is much esteemed by tlie Indians, and 
also by some of the white inhabitants. The Indians kill a number 
of them each year in the vicinity of New River. They harpoon 
them in the rivers or in the ocean near the mouth of some ri\'er. 

The Florida manatee is \-erv similar to tliat found in Central 
or South America, and perhaps shoidd not be recognized as a dis- 
tinct species. 

The manatee grows to an immense size, sometimes attaining a 
length (it is claimed) of fifteen feet. The skin is very coarse 



114 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



and thick and is covered with scattered coarse hairs. When not 
frightened or suspicious it generally rises to the surface to breathe 
at intervals of from one to two and a half minutes. 

Family VESPERTILIONIDvE. The Bats. 

ARTIBEUS CARPOLEQUS Gosse. 
Leaf-Nosed Bat. 

A. carpolcoits Chapman. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., p. 342, 

1894. 

A. perspici/lafiis H. Allen. Bats N. A., p. 93, 1893. 

Nose with leaflike membrane : general color ashy brown ; expanse 
of wings, 12.50 to 14. 

A single specimen recorded from Key West by Mr. C. J. May- 
nard (Bull. Essex Inst., Salem, Mass., Oct., 1872, p. 144, 
Vol. IV., No. 10), as Ar/ibcKspcrspicillatiis. According to Mr. F. M. 
Chapman (Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist., p. 341, 1894), the 
Cuban species is Art/hens carpolcgiis. Gosse, and not pcrspic- 
illatiis, differing from that species in the absence of conspicuous 
facial streaks, and in its smaller size. 

CORYNORHINUS HACROTIS (Zc Conte). 
Big=Eared Bat, 

Ears very large : fur soft, dark at base with lighter tips ; under 
parts of body pale: expanse of wings, 9.50 to 10.75. 

Recorded by Dr. Harrison Allen (Bats N. A., p. 58), from 
Florida, a single specimen having been taken at Micanopy by 

Dr. Bean. 

VESPERTILIO QRYPHUS. F. Cuv. 
Little Brown Bat. 

Small : general color brown, showing a tinge of olive in some 
lights: the basal portion of the fur (concealed) is dark plumbeous; 
face whiskered: expanse of wing, 8 to 9.25. 

Recorded by Dr. Rhoads (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1894,) 
from Tarpon Springs, " Several specimens taken." 



THE MAMMALS OF FLORIDA. II5 

ADELONYCTERIS FU5CUS {Beam'.). 
Brown Bat. 

General color light brown, paler below; expanse of wings, 9.50 
to 10.50. Common in Florida. 

VE5PERUG0 CAROLINENSIS {Gcojf.). 
Carolina Bat. 

A small, pale-brown bat; expanse of wnngs, 8 to 9. Probably 
common. Recorded from the Snw^anee River by Mr. Chapman, 
and from Tarpon Springs by Dr. Rhoads. 

NYCTICEJUS HUMERALIS liaf. 
Twilight Bat. 

Dark brown above, paler below; expanse of wings, 7-75 to 9.50- 
Recorded by Mr. Rhoads from Tarpon Springs, and by Dr. 
H. Allen. 

DASYPTERU5 INTERMEDIUS Peters. 
Fulvous Bat. 

A rather large bat, pale tawnj- brown in color; expanse of wings, 
12 to 13. 

Recorded by Dr. Harrison Allen (Bats N. A., p. 138, 1893), 
from Davenport, Florida. 

ATALAPHA BOREALIS (J/////.). 

Red Bat. 

A. noveboracensis auct. 

j\. horcalis Mull. Rhoads, Proc. Phil. Acad. Sci., p. 156, 1894. 

Fur pale 3'ellowish at base, tipped with reddish brown, and 
ashy ears not edged witli black: expanse of wings, 10.75 ^o 11.75. 

Numerous specimens of bats identified as this species have been 
taken in Florida. Mr. F. M. Chapman records it from Gainesville 
and the Suwanee Ri\er. and Dr. Rhoads obtained specimens from 
Tarpon Springs which he identitied as Atalapha horealis -pfciffcn' 
(Gundlach) : but the Cuban form is brighter colored than the true 
horealh^ while Florida specimens are darker. 



Il6 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

The Florida form of this bat seems to be entitled to at least sub- 
specilic recognition, and several writers have alread}^ stated this to 
be the case, but no one has yet taken the trouble to christen it. 

ATALAPHA CINEREA {Beaitv.). 
Hoary Bat. 

Fur dark brown tipped with silvery gray ; ears marked with 
black; expanse of wings, 12.50 to 14.50. 

Recorded by Mr. Chapman from Gainesville (Bull. American 
Mus., Nat. Hist., p. 343, 1894). 

NYCTINOMUS BRASILIEN51S Is. Geoff. 
House Bat. 

General color, pale seal brown; expanse of wings, 10 to 11. 
Common in some localities. 

Family SORICID.E. The Shrews. 

BLARINA BREVICAUDA CAR0LINENSI5 {Bach.). 

Southern flole Shrew. 

No ears visible ; tail short ; general color slaty gray, often silvery 
on under parts. Length of body without tail about 3 .50 ; tail about. 75 . 

A specimen was taken by Mr. C. J. Maynard, near Miami, and 
another by Mr. Chapman at Gainesville. 

BLARINA CINEREA {Bach). 
Cinereus Mole Shrew. 

Small: no ears visible ; color slaty gray, shghtly paler on under 
parts. Length of body, without tail, about 2.50; tail about i. 

Mr. Chapman states (Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., p. 342, 1894), 
a badly preserved specimen in alcohol from Indian River, is pro- 
visionally referred by Professor Baird to this species. 

BLARINA EXILIPES Baird. 
SmalUFooted Mole Shrew. 

Small ; general color dark slaty gray, under parts nearly the same 
as above. Length of body alone, 3.50 to 3.75 ; tail alone, about. 75. 



THE MAMMALS Ol' I-LORIDA. II7 

First recorded from Gainesville, Plorida, bv Dr. C. Hart Mer- 
riain, from a specimen taken from the stomach of a barn owl. 
Specimens have since been taken near Enterprise, by Mr. Brownell. 

Family TALPID.E. The Moles. 

SCALOPS A0UATICU5 ALSTRALIS Chapman. 
Florida Mole. 

No ears \isible ; feet very large ; fur pale seal brown with a sil- 
ver}- gloss : tail very short. Length of body, without tail, about 
5.50 : tail, .50 to .70. 

Common in many localities. Mr. F. W. True does not consider 
Scalaps parvus, Rhoads, as separable from this species (Chap- 
man, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., p. 343, 1894). 

FA^[ILY LEPORID.E. The Hares and Rabbits. 

LEPUS PALUSTRIS Bach. 
riarsh Rabbit. 

Abundant in Northern Florida. It may easily be distinguished 
from the Highland rabbits by its small feet, and dark brown color, 
and dark tail, showing no white. 

LEPUS PALUSTRIS PALUDICOLA (J////,; and Bangs). 
Southern Harsh Rabbit. 

This is the marsh rabbit of Middle and Southern Florida. It is 
similar to the preceding species, but is somewhat smaller and darker 
in color, and is now generall}' recognized as a subspecies. 

LEPUS SYLVATICUS Bach. 
Gray Rabbit. His;hland Rabbit. 

Common in Northern and parts of Middle Florida. It may easily 
be distinguished from the swamp species by the ivhitc on ihe taif, 
its longer legs, and larger feet. 



Il8 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

LEPU5 SYLVATICUS FL0RIDANU5 Allen. 
Southern Gray Rabbit. 

Very similar to the preceding species, but darker and somewhat 
smaller. It is common throughout Middle and Southern Florida. 



Family GEOMYID.E. The Pouched Gophers. 

QE0MY5 TUZA ((9;v/.). 
Florida Gopher. Salamander. 

Verv common, usually inhabidng the pine woods, where it lives 
in holes. The natives call the land turtle ( Gophcnis folyj^hcmus, 
Daud.), a "gopher," and this is often confusing, as both animals 
live in holes and often in the same localities. 



Family MURID.E. Mice and Rats. 

NEOTOMA FLORIDANA Say. and And. 
Wood Rat. 

A large, big-eared rat, grayish brown above and whitish beneath ; 
feet white; length, including tail, 14 to 15.50; tail, 6 107.25. 

Rather common in some localities, and is supposed to be gener- 
ally distributed through the State. I have seen many nests of this 
species and trapped a number of specimens near Cape Canaveral. 
It prefers the heavily wooded hummocks. 

MUS RATTUS Linn. 
Black Rat. 

Above, dark slaty black; under parts dark gray. Size very 
variable; an average specimen will measure from 13 to 15 inches 
in length, including tail. 

The Black Rat is not common. Specimens have been taken near 
Titusville, and Mr. Chapman records it from Enterprise (four spec- 
imens taken bv Mr. Brownell). This species was introduced into 



THE :ma:m.^ials oi- floriua. 119 

America about the 3^ear 1554, but it has beeu nearly exterminated 
by the Norway Rat. 

MUS ALEXANDRINUS Geoff. 
White Bellied Roof Rat. 

A hu-ge rat, rather grayer in color tlian dcntiiinnits and whiter on 
the under parts. The tail /s its/Ki/fv /oii^rr tlnni Ihc body. Tiiis 
is the common rat usually to be found in houses and stables. 

nUS DECUMANLJS Pa//as. 
Norway Rat. 

A very large rat, brown above, gra3'ish wdiite beneath : fail rarely 
as /oj/o- as iJic body. Claimed to liave been introduced into America 
about 1775- 'T'l''^ oi^ly Florida specimens I have seen of this species 
were taken in Jacksonville. It is probably contined to the larger 
towns and cities and not found elsewhere. 

SIGHODON HISPIDUS Say. and Ord. 
Cotton Rat. 

Fur, dark brown, tipped with tawny : under parts grayish white ; 
length, including tail, about 9.50: tail, about 3.50. 

Abundant in Northern Florida, being replaced in Middle and 
Southern Florida by the next. 

SIGMODON HISPIDUS LITTORALIS Chapman. 
South Florida Cotton Rat. 

Similar to the preceding, but decidedlv darker: length, includ- 
ing tail, 9.50; tail, 3.50. 

Common in Middle and South Florida. 

ORYZOnVS PALUSTRIS NATATOR Chaptnan. 
Florida Harsh Rat. 

Rather large ; above browm ; dusky white beneath : length, in- 
cluding tail, about 12 ; tail, 5.50. 

Recorded from Gainesville, Enterprise, Micco, Smyrna, and 
Flamino-Q. 



120 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

nUS nUSCULUS ////;/. 
House Mouse. 

Small : brown above ; pale brown beneath : length, including 
tail, about 5 to 6 ; tail, 2.50 to 3. 

Abundant throughout the State in the vicinit\' of human hab- 
itation. 

REITHRODONTOriYS HUfllLIS Ami. and Bach. 
Harvest House. 

A small, dark brown mouse : length, including tail, about S to 
5.75 ; tail, 2.25 to 2.60. 

This species is apparently not common. It has been taken at 
Enterprise and Tarpon Springs. 

SITOriYS NIVEIVENTRIS {Chapma>i). 
Ground Mouse. 

Above, pale brownish drab : whitish beneath ; others, yellowish 
brown above : whitish beneath : length, including tail, about 5.30; 
tail, 1.75 to 2. 

Common in many parts of Florida : abundant near the coast. 

SITOriYS NIVEIVENTRIS SUBQRISEUS Chapman. 
Old Field Mouse. 

Darker than lu'vc/vcii/ris : brown above, under parts white ; 
length, including tail, about 5.20: tail, 1.60 to 1.90. 

According to Mr. Chapman, it inhabits the interior, being re- 
placed in the sandy lands, bordering the ocean, by the preceding 
species. It frequents old fields. 

SITOnVS FLORIDANUS {Cha/>nian). 
Big=Eared Deer House, 

Hesfcroiuys forid(niiis Chapman, Bull. Am, Mus. Nat. Hist., 
II., 1887, p] 87. 

Ilcs-pcromys iiiarropiis Merriam. N. A. Fauna, No. 4, 1890, 
P- S^- 



THE MAMMALS oi' FL()RI|)A. 121 

Si/o)uys jforic/diuis ChaiMiian. Bull. Am, i^^u.s. Nat. Hist., VI., 
1^94' P- 336. 

Above, brownish ^ray, shadiiii;- into lawn color on the sides ; 
iinderparts white: lenuth, includino- tail, about 7.50: tail, 3 to 3.50. 

Probably not uncommon, although but few specimens have been 
taken. 

It has been recorded from Enterprise, Gainesville, Citronelle, and 
at one or two points on the Indian River and at Lake Worth, tiie 
latier being Dr. Merriam's type of .S'. macropus. 

SITOnVS AHERICANUS QOSSYPINUS {Lc Conh^. 
Deer Mouse. 

Brown above, whitish beneath : length, including tail, about 7 ; 
tail. 2.50 to 3.25. 

Abundant frequently in the hummocks. 

Mr. Chapman (Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., VI., 1894, p. 336), 
considers Sitoiiiys iiicgarcphalns, Rhoads. (C. F. Rhoads, Proc. 
Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1894, p. 254) as inseparable from this 
form, stating that specimens in his series " practically match them 
both in size and color." 

SITOHYS AUREOLUS {Wci^n.). 
Golden Mouse. 

General color, golden brown : the underparts are wliite : length, 
including tail, 5.50 to 6.2-^ : tail, 2.25 to 2.90. 

Specimens have been taken by Mr. J. Robinson, at Gaines- 
ville, and by Mr. C. J. Maynard at Dummits Grove, on the Mos- 
quito Lagoon. 

ARVICOLA PINETORUM (Le Conte). 
Le Conte's Pine Mouse. 

Ears nearly ccnicealed : upper parts reddish brown : under parts 
slaty gray; tail very short: length, including tail, 4 104.75; tail 
about .75. 



122 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

Audubon records this species from Florida (Qiiad. N. A., p. 
219, Vol. II.) 

NEOFIBER ALLENI. True. 
Allen's fluskrat. Round=Tailed fluskrat. 

Fur long and soft ; above, glossy, dark brown ; under parts 
white, showing a slight brownish tinge; length, including tail, 13 
to 15 : tail, 4.50 to 5.50. 

This species is abundant on the peninsular east of the Indian 
River, and is apparently not uncommon in manv portions of the 
State. It has been recorded from Gainesville and Enterprise in the 
interior. I found it common and captured a dozen specimens near 
the head of the Banana River. 

The common muskrat {Fiber zihethiciis) and the beaver {Castor 
canadensis), may occur in P'lorida, but have not as yet been taken in 
the State. (Chapman; Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., VI., 1894, 
P- 334-) 

Family SCIURID.F:. The Sqltirrels. 

SCIUROPTERUS VOLUCELLA {GmeL). 
Flying Squirrel. 

Common in suitable localities. I have several specimens taken 
near Jacksonville, and it has been taken at Enterprise and Tarpon 
Springs. Length, including tail, 9 to 10; tail, 4.50 to 5. 

SCIURUS CAROLINENSIS Gmel. 
Southern Gray Squirrel. " Cat Squirrel. " 

Smaller and more rufous than the Northern gra}- squirrel; length, 
including tail, 14 to 15 ; tail, 9 to 10. 
Common. 

SCIURLJS NIGER Linn. 
Southern Fox Squirrel. 

Common in some localities : frequents pine woods. It varies 
much in color, some specimens being almost entireh' black. As a 



THE :\rAMMAI.S Ol-' J<-I.ORIl)A. 



123 



rule, the head is bhiek, the back i^ray, and the under parts tawny ; 
length, including tail, 21 to 24: tail, 14 to 15. 

Family DIDELPHID.E. The Opossums. 

DIDELPHI5 MARSUPIALIS VIRGINIANA (AV/v). 
Opossum. 




Abundant throughout the State. It is nocturnal in its habits, and, 
therefore, although so common is rarelv seen. 

The Porpoise (^Phociciia phodoia /..) and the Dolphin (^Tiirsiops 
tursio X.) occur on the coast of Florida, and the former occasion- 
ally enters the rivers. 



REMARKS ON SOME OE THE FLORIDA 

SNAKES. 

The snakes of Florida may be divided into two classes, the 
venomous and the non-venomous. Out of the large number of 
species known to occur in the State but four ma}^ be classed as 
venomous, and two of these are so small as to be harmless, unless 
handled or touched with the hand or bare foot ; a third, the cotton- 
mouth moccasin, is by no means a common species ; and the fourth, 
the well-known diamond rattlesnake, although exceedingly venom- 
ous, is luckily not aggressive, and unless irritated or touched, will 
rarely attempt to strike. 

x\ll venomous snakes have groo\-ed or perforated fangs in the 
upper jaw : in some permanently fixed, in others erectile, but always 
showing the aperture through which the poison is ejected. Non- 
venomous species have fixed teeth in the upper jaw in which there 
is no groove or poison duct. 

The venomous snakes which are found in Florida are as follows : — 

CROTALUS ADAHANTEUS Beauv. 
Diamond Rattlesnake. 

I'ulike the cotton-mouth moccasin the diamond rattlesnake is not 
naturally vicious or aggressive, preferring rather to avoid man than 
to attack him. It is a very dangerous snake, however, as its " bite " 
nearly always proves fatal. Alcohol and stimulants will often pre- 
vent any serious results from the the bite of Western and Northern 
rattlesnakes (6\ horn'diii). but these remedies have not proved 
ethcacious in cases where persons have been bitten bv the Florida 
species. 

In very large snakes the fangs are often three quarters of an 
inch, or more, in length, and thev strike with much force. When 



Ri:.MARKS ON SOMl<: I'LORIDA SNAKES. 



12^ 



in the act of 8trikin<^ the snake coils and usnallv rattles, but it does 
not al\va\'s do so. 

Its manner of striking is described by S. Weir Mitchell (who has 
made a most careful study of the species), as follows : — 

" The snake throws himself into a spiral, and about one third of 
his length, carrying tlie head, rises from the coil, and stands up- 




RATTLESXAKE AliOUT TO STRIKE. 



right; then his head and neck are thrown far back, his mouth is 
opened wide, the fangs held tirmly erect. The blow is a stab, 
and is given by throwing the head forward, while the half coils 
below it are straightened out. As the fangs enter, the tem- 
poral muscles close the lower jaw on the part struck and force 
the sharp fangs deeper in. At this moment the poison duct is 
opened by the relaxation of the muscle which surrounds it, and 
the same muscle wdiich shuts the jaw squeezes the poison gland 
and drives the venom through the duct and hollow fang into the 
bitten part." 



.26 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



There is no known antidote for crotaline poison (as the venom 
of the rattlesnake is called). 

Dr. L. Stejneger, of Washington, once suggested to me that a 
solution of cromic acid or bichloride of gold, injected hypodermi- 
cally about the wound, might prove efficacious. 

As crotaline poison is claimed to act directly on the medulla, it 
would seem necessary to stimulate the heart's action with the hope 
of tiding over the paralyzing effects of the poison. * This might. 





RATTLESNAKE PREPARING, TO STRIKE. 



perhaps, be accomplished by the use of strychnia, to be given, I 
should say, in doses of one tifdeth of a grain, repeated every half 
hour, if there are symptoms of heart failure. Of course, it goes 
without saying that everv possible effort should be made to procure 
the services of a regular physician. 

If a person should be bitten by a rattlesnake the wound should 
at once be opened to produce a free How of blood. Ligatures 

* Dr. Calmette, a French physician, claims to have attained good results by the use of hypochloride of calcium. 
He also claims to have immunized animals by minimal subcutaneous inoculations of attenuated poison and 
states that the serum of sucli vaccinated animals possessed strong specific antidotal properties against the 
poison with which they had been vaccinated. — Annales de V hist. Pasieiir, May, 1894, and April, 1S95. 



REMARKS ON SOME Fl.ORlIlA SNAKES. 



127 



should be applied abo\c and below the \v()iind to retard, as much as 
possible, the poison entering the circulation. A strong solution of 
permanganate of potash * might be injected deeply into the wounds 
made by the fangs. If that could not be obtained, carbolic acid 
might answer, the object being to cauterize the wound and prevent, 
if possible, the absorption of the poison. 

A good, stiff dose of brandy or whisky should be given, with a 
view to counteracting the ill effects on the nervous system produced 
by fear. Strychnia miglit 
then be given internally, 
and the heart action watched 
closelv. If the patient can 
be kept alive and conscious 
for twentv-four hours there 
is a ffood chance of recoverv. 

In India the English gov- 
ernment not long ago offered 
a large sum of money as a 
reward for the discovery of 
an antidote for cobra poison. 
A French phvsician suc- 
ceeded in saving a certain 
percentage of small mam- 
mals which had been bitten by a cobra, by hypodermic injections of 
pure chloride of lime (chloride of calcium), one part of the chloride 
to sixty parts of water, and also made use of stimulants. How 
this treatment would succeed in the case of a rattlesnake is ques- 
tionable. 

Contrary to the general idea, the Indians ha\e no antidote for 
rattlesnake poison. I ha\'e talked with many, and they assure me 
that if an Indian is bitten by a rattlesnake (which they rarel}^ ever 
are) " he no get well." 

Some very large rattlesnakes liaxe been killed in Florida. I have 




* Hypochloride of calcium would be indicated iu prelerence to permanganate of potash, if it could be used 
at once. 



i28 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

seen several over six feet in length, and one which measured seven 
feet one inch. I have been told that a snake was killed on Anastasia 
Island wiiich rneasnred nearly nine feet in length. 

SISTRURUS niLIARIUS (//«//). 
Ground Rattlesnake. 

A small snake, rather common, but not often seen, as it keeps 
well concealed in thick places and under old logs. 

It is poisonous but its fangs are small. Ordinary antiseptic treat- 
ment of the wound and a rather free use of stimulants usually 
prevents serious results. 

This snake rarely exceeds two and a half to three feet in length. 
The back is marked with black and red and it has a very small 
rattle on the end of its tail. 

i\lthough this little rattlesnake is common in Florida very few of 
them are seen during the cold months. 

AGKISTRODON PISCIVORUS (//;/;/.). 
rioccasin, Stump=Tail Moccasin, Cotton=nouth Moccasin. 

This is a water snake, fully as venomous as the rattlesnake, and 
much more vicious. They are not common, however, and are rarely 
seen. I have killed specimens over hve feet in length : but it is 
somewhat unusual for them to attain that size. One killed at the 
mouth of Moccasin Creek, Banana River, measured live feet two 
inches. It is a dark-colored snake, the under parts blotched with 
black and yellow. Young specimens are brighter colored and some- 
what resemble in color .1. cantor trix, but the copperhead has not as 
yet been recorded from Florida. 

Like most of the venomous snakes, it has fangs, but no teeth on the 
upper jaw. Its poison is similar in its action to crotaline, and should 
be treated in a similar manner. If bitten by a poisonous snake, the 
wound should receive immediate attention. Ligatures applied (for 
a time) above and below the bite, cutting the wound to make it bleed 
freely, and the rather free use tjf whisky may perhaps be recom- 
mended w^iile awaiting the advice of some regular physician. 



REMARKS OX SOMK FLORIDA SNAKES. 



129 



The small chance of seeing a poisonous snake, much less beino- 
bitten by one, is, perhaps, ^^•ell illustrated by the fact that such 
hunters as Qiiartermain and Davis care nothing for snakes, although 
they have hunted for many years in Florida, often with bare feet, in 
the most "• snaky localities." 

It should be remembered that there are several species of so-called 
water snakes, which are often seen on the banks of streams and 
ponds, none of which are poisonous. They are blackish and dark 
brown generally, with indications of marking on the back. 

These harmless varieties are the kinds which are usualh pointed 
out by the natives as the dreaded Water Moccasin. 

ELAPS FULVIUS (Z///;/.). 
Harlequin Snake. 

This pretty little species is conspicuous on account of its trans\erse 
bands of yellow, red, and black. It is a small snake, and for manv 
years was considered harndess. It is poisonous, howe\-er, and has 
two very small perforated fangs : but, unlike other venomous snakes, 
it has both fangs and teeth on the upper jaw. 

There are several cases on record where persons have died from 
the effects of a bite from this snake, and there are also numerous 
instances where people have been bitten and suffered no ill effects 
whatever. Still, we know that in some cases the bite of the Harle- 
quin Snake //as proved serious ; so it is just as well not to treat the 
little fellow in too familiar a manner. 

There are three species in Florida which resemble each other so 
much that any one but a specialist would probably consider them to 
be identical. Thev are very different, however, belouirintr to differ- 
ent genera : although their general color and appearance is somewhat 
similar, the colors are differently arranged. The present one, which 
is the only venomous one of the group, has a roundish head, with 
the eyes on top, while the others have the eye on the side of the head. 
One of them has a very pointed head. 

The non-venomous ones are as follows. Thev have teeth on both 
jaws, but no fangs. 



130 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 

OSCEOLA ELAPSOIDEA. (Holbrook). 
CEMOPHORA COCCINEA. {Blnmenbacli). 

This last is the fellow with the pointed head, and is not uncommon 
in some parts of Florida. 

Dr. Einar Lonneberg says,* " The bites of harmless snakes may 
become dangerous from several reasons. 

(i) Common blood poisoning that can happen with any wound. 
(2) Poisoning with the poison from the skin of toads, in cases of 
bite bv species feeding on those animals, as I have often observed 
that it is possible for some of the secretions from the poison glands in 
the skin of the toad to remain in the mouth of the snake among the 
teeth, especially the larger posterior maxillary teeth which inflict the 
wound. (3) Fear that the snake is poisonous and consequent self- 
sug<:cestion." 

We now come to the non-poisonous snakes which occur in Florida, 
which number between twenty-five and thirty species. Many of 
them are small and rarely seen, and the inhabitants have no local 
name for them. Others, however, are common and are well known 
to the natives, who call them by various names in different localities. 
The following are a few of the better-known varieties : • — 

NATRIX FASCIATA {Linn.). 
Water Moccasin. 

This is the common blackish-looking species so often observed 
along the banks of the rivers and ponds. It is perfectly harmless, 
but is often pointed out to tourists as the deadly " Cotton-Mouth." 

NATRIX TAXISPILOTA {Holbrook). 
A large Water Moccasin, common about the lakes and rivers, 
usually seen on floating branches of vegetation. It is not venomous. 

ABASTOR ERYTHROQRAMMUS {Daitdin). 
Thunder Snake. 

A harmless \ ariety, apparently not common in Southern Florida. 

* Proceedings of U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. XVII., p. 239 , 1891. 



REMARKS ON SOME l-'EOlilDA SNAKES. I3I 

LAMPROPELTIS QETULUS (/.///;/.). 
King Snake. 

Harmless. It \aries in coloration, sometimes showing black and 
yellow bands. It is claimed that it kills the Rattlesnake, and is 
sometimes called the Rattlesnake Pilot. 

BASCANlUn CONSTRICTOR {Liiiii.). 
Black Snake. 

The Black Snake is very common throughout Florida. It is not 
poisonous and has no fangs, but it has a tine set of teeth and is 
not good tempered. It is black, with the under parts greenish, and 
the throat dull white. 

BASCANIUM FLAQELLUM {S/umi). 
Coach Whip, Chicken Snake. 

Common, but not so numerous as the preceding species. 

CALLOPELTIS QUTTATUS Unn. 
Chicken Snake. 

Harmless. This and another species, C tjiiadrivittatiis^ are both 
called '' Chicken Snakes " by the inhabitants. 

SPILOTES CORAIS COUPERII Holbnwk. 
Gopher Snake. 

A very large, harmless snake. It is claimed that specimens have 
been killed which measured over nine feet in length. It is black 
above and plumbeous on the bell}-, showing yellow on the throat. 

HETERODON PLATYRHINUS Latrcillc. 
Hognose Snake, Spreading Adder, Spitting Adder. 

A peculiar little snake, having a turned-up nose. It has the habit 
of flattening its head and neck and hissing loudly when disturbed, 
but it is not poisonous. 

THAMNOPHIS SIRTALIS (Z/////.). 
Grass Snake, Garter Snake. 

Common in damp ground. A non-poisonous snake, but one that 
will bite readilv if handled. 



KE)Y 



TO THE 



WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



INTRODUCTION TO BIRD KEY. 

In prepiirini;" tlu- present Key, I have striven to make it as simple 
and non-technical as possible, my object beini; to enable any one 
totallv unfamiliar with birds to identify with comparative ease any 
species of the Florida water birds. Let us assume, for example, that 
a young man has killed a duck and wishes to identify it: he turns 
over a few pages of the Key until he tinds a figure of a bird winch 
resembles his. He then measures his specimen and linds that tlie 
length of his bird is i6 inches and the length of the wing is 7.40 
inches. lie linds that the ducks are divided into groups, and the 
group to whicli his duck would seem to belong was the one com- 
prising birds having a lobe or flap on the little hind toe, the belly 
white, and wdiich show more or less wldte or grayish white on the 
head. In this group he finds there are eleven species, but only four 
of them which approximate near enough in size to by any possibility 
be his duck. These are the Ruddy Duck, the tw^o Scaup Ducks, 
and the Ring-necked Duck. Upon reading the description of these 
birds he tinds that, as his duck is not chestnut and the tail feathers 
are not stiff and pointed, it cannot be the Ruddy Duck. Of the three 
remaining species two have the speculum white, the third has it gray. 
As his duck has the speculum gray it must, therefore, be a female 
Ring-necked Duck. To be absolutely positive of this he turns over 
to the latter part of the Key as indicated by " See page "* so and so, 
at the end of each species : he will then be able to read a full de- 
scription of the bird and so remove any doubt as to the correct identi- 
tication of the species. 

All measurements of birds are given in inches and fractions of an 
inch. The following diagrams wall illustrate how a bird sliould be 
measured, and the chart will be useful to the young student of 
ornitholoii-y who mav not be familiar with the technical terms used 
in describing birds. The sexes are indicated by the signs of Mars 
and Venus : the male, of course, being given that of Mars, J. and 
the female ? . 



MEASUREMENTS. 

LENGTH. — Distance in a straight line from the end of the bill to the tip 
of the longest tail feather. Occasionally the middle feathers are much 
elongated, as in Phaethon and Stercorariiis. 

WING. — Distance from the carpal joint (bend of the wing) to the tip of 
the longest primary. 

TAIL. — Distance from the tip of the longest tail feather to its base (the 
point where it enters the body). 

BILL. — The distance in a straight line from where the bill (upper mandible) 
joins the skin of the forehead (A) to the tip (B). (There are a few ex- 
ceptions to this rule, such as birds with frontal plate, etc. Some curved 
bills are measured along the curve of the luhnen, but in cases of this kind 
it should always be so stated.) 

TARSUS. — Distance in front of the leg from what appears to he the knee 
joint (end of tibia) to the root of the middle toe. 

All measurements are given in inches and fractions of an inch. 
Birds vary so much in size that the length of any one specimen cannot 
be accepted as a standard for others of the same species. The length measure 
is, nevertheless, of value to enable us to form an approximate idea of the size 
of the bird ; the length of the wing is much less variable and is an im- 
portant aid to the identification of certain species. 



Under. .Primarij ('oi'trts 



Under Wi 



>S 1 1 pert if III rij St rijti 

Forehead ■ ,, 
jT ,, ,.,, ■., \trown 

Lpper JlaiuliMi: \X,ores 

Nostril 

'■Oubnen 




Occiput Speculum 

■■■Ear Couerts (auriculars) 
-Nape 



Scapulars 



.-Tertials 

U'pi>er Tail Coverts 
Tail Feathers 




glider Tail ('averts 
Crissum 



Middle Toe 



yllind Toe 



Inner Toe 



(tI.OSSARY. 

Nearly all the terms used in describing' a bird may be more easily 

and clearly understood by examinint^ the accompanying^ figure than from 

a written description; a few, however, may, perhaps, require a word of 

explanation. 
MANDIBLES. — Some authors use the word iiuixilla for the upjjer half of 

the bill, and mandible for the lower. 1 prefer, howe\er, to describe the 

two halves of the bill as iippur and Imoer nidndiblc. 
('ULMEN. — 'I'he ridge of the upper mandible. 
GONYS. — Lower outline (middle; of under mandible. 
Ur^jUIS. — The nail on the end of the upper mandible : \ery pronounced 

in several families of water birds, - Ducks, I'elicans, and Petrels. 
AXILLARS or AXILLARY PLUMES. — Several elongated feathers at 

the junction of the wing and body ('Lat. axilla, the arm-pit). 
SRK(TJLUM. — A wing band or patch (usually of a different color from the 

rest of the wing; formed by the terminal portion of the secondaries: very 

noticeable in the Ducks. 
TARSUS. — Extends from the root of the toes to the end of the tibia (what 

appears to be the bend of the leg or knee ; but which is, in reality, the 

heel joint). 
SUPERCILI.\R^' .STRIRK. — Stripe over the eye. 



LfiHjth 




Win,i 




K K V 



WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Family ]>()DICII'ID.1':. Gkkkks. 





C'olvmbus auritus. 



Podilymbus pocliceps. 



I'uuilynilnis |icnUccps 



Lca^tli, 13.40; ^Vin,2,■, .^.4<) : 'I'uisus. I,7<> 



1. ■[)' ■ C(>lymbu5 auritu.-^. 

Horned (irebe. S^r i)ai;e 1S5 



Lc'iigth, 13.50: Wing, 5; Tar.siis. 1 .4."» ; Hill. .90. Podilymbus podicep.'^. 

Pied = billed (irebe. .Ste i)agf i.S6 



14^ ^■^'•■'^' 'I"^ r]]K WATKIt ];IR|)S OI- I'l.ORIDA. 

Family URINATORID.E. I.ooxs — Divers. 




Triii.itor imber ( foot ). 



Length, ;J1 ; Win--, 14: Tarsus, 3.35; ]',ill, 2.75. 



Length, 24; Wing, 10.7r>; Tarsus, 2.75: P.ill, 



Urinator imber. 

Loon — Great Northern Diver. 

St-e page 1S7 

Urinator lumme. 
Red=throated Loon. 
Red=throated Diver. 

See page iSS 



Ki:v 'io 'iiii': w \'ii:k iurds oi' i'i.orida. 



H3 



Family STERCOR A KIID.E. ]Ai.:(;].:ks. 





Stercorarius parasiticus ( adult ). 



SterCDr.irius ]>.u'.isilii us i iminatiiro ). 




Sterrornrius iiarasitirus (foot). 



Central tail feathers elongated in the t\N o following species : 

LeiiL^th. 17 : Wing, i;, : Tail (adult), about S.40; Tail 

(immatuix-), about 6: liill. 1.20. Stercorarius parasiticus. 

Parasitic Jaeger. See page iSy 

Length, 20.50; ^^'i^g, 12.25 : Tail (adult), a])out 12.50; 

immature, alioui 6: isill, i.io. Stercorarius longicaudus. 

Long=tailed Jaeg:er. See page 190 



44 




KEY TO Tin: WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

Family T.ARID.E. Guli.s and Terns. 
Subfamily LARINyE. Gulls. 






X 



Laius argentatus smithsonianus. Larus atncilla. 



Length. 2i): Winn, ,S; Tail. S ; liill. 2.40. Larus marinus. 

Great Black=backed Qull. 

.See page 191 

Length, 24; Wing. 1750 Tail 7.50 ; Hill, 2. 1 0. Larus argentatus smithsoni= 

anus. 
American Herring Qull. 

.See page 192 
Length, 1H.40: Wing, 14; Tail. 6 : liill. about 1.65. 
In summer, bill yellowish banded with black ; 
in winter, tipped with dark bnnvn. Larus delawarensis. 

Ring=billed Qull. See page 192 

Length, KJ.50 : Wing. 12.50: Tail. 5 : liill. about j .75. 
Adult — head and throat ])lumbeou.s in sumnK-r. 
whitish in wintLr; bill reddish. LaruS atricilla. 

Laughing Qull. Seepage 193 

Length. i;}.r>0: Wing. 1<).4(>; Tail, 4.15; liill. 
1.30. Adult in summer. — bill black; head and 
neck plumbeous ; feet orange red; in winter, liill 
black; head and neck white ; feet tle.sh color. Larus Philadelphia. 

Bonaparte's Qull. See page 193 



KEY TO T[IE \\'ATI:k IUKDS OI" !• LOR IDA. 



■f:) 



SuBFAMiEv STERNIN.-E. I^krns. 




-=/ 




Sterna maxima. 



Sterna fuliginosa. 



Length, 21; Wing, 16; Tail, 6.10: Tarsus, 1.80 ; 
Bill, 3. Bill «leex> red ; primaries dark slate 
color on inner webs. 

Length. 19: Wing, 14; Tail, 7.10: IJill. 2.40. Bill 
orange or yellow ; back pearl gray ; under parts 
white. 

Length, 17; Wing, 11.50; Tail, 7.20; Rill, 1.70. Bill 
black ; l)ack and upper parts brownish black ; 
under parts white. 

Length. 15. 50; Wing, 12.25 ; Tail, 5.60; r)ill. 2.10. 
Bill black tipped with yellow ; back pearl gray; 
under parts white. 



Length, 15; Wing, 10.30: Tail. 5.50; Bill, 1.45; Tar- 
sus, .70 to .So. Adult in suninier — Bill red tipped 
with black; feet red ; under parts ashy. Adult 
in winter — under parts white : bill brownish l)lack; 
Outer web of outer tail feather darker than 
inner web at all seasons. 



Sterna tschegrava. 
Caspian Tern. See page 194 

Sterna maxima. 

Royal Tern. .See page 195 



Sterna fuliginosa. 

Sooty Tern. See page 19S 



Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida. 
Cabot's Tern, See page 195 



Sterna hirundo. 

Common Tern. See page 196 



146 



KEY TO THK WATKR BIRDS OF P^LORIDA. 




Sterna dougalli. 



Length, 15; Wing, 10.25; Tail, 6.60; Bill. 1.50; Tar- 
sus, .90. Adult in summer — bill dull orange red 
tipped with black ; feet orange red ; under parts 
white. Adult in winter — bill dark brown; feet 
brown ; a dusky black patch on sides of the 
head inclosing eye; inner web of outer tail 
feather darker than outer web in all plumages. 



Sterna forsteri. 
Forster's Tern. 



See page 196 



Length, 15; Wing, 9.75 ; Tail. 7.50; Bill, 1,55 ; Tarsus, 
.CS5. Bill black, showing tinge of red at tlie base; 
tail white ; whole of outer tail feather white ; 
under parts white tinged with rose color ; feet 
red. 



Sterna dougalli. 
Roseate Tern. 



See page 197 



Length. 1.^; Wing. 10.30; Tail. 6; Bill. 1.60. Entire 
plumage olive brown; top of head whitish. 

Immature birds have the top of the head brownish. Anous stolidus. 

Noddy Tern. 



See page 199 



Length, 14.50; Wing, lO; Tail, 6; Bill, 1.60. 
Crown black ; forehead and line extending over 
the eye white; mantle gray; under parts white ; 
bill and feet Ijlack. Sterna anaethetus. 

Bridled Tern. See page lyi* 



Ki:v 'i-o 'II lie \\\ri.:K 

I^en-th. 14: Win- 12: Tail, 5.50: Hill. ,.40: Tar- 
sus, 1.30. Forehead not white; crown, inrhid- 
wj; forehead, hlark : ujiper parts i>carl -ray : niuItT 
parts white : bill comparatively short :uu\ thick; 
bill and feet black. 



Lcn-tl,. «»..-,(): Wino, N.30: Tail. 3.60: nil), ,.,0: 
1 arsus. .70. Adult in summer — under parts black. 
Adult in winter — under parts white ; bill black ; 
feet dusky brown. 



I-en-th. <>.2r»; Win- 7: Tail, 3.50 ; liill, i..^o; Tar- 
su.s. .65. I'nder parts white ; bill and feet yellow. 



I>s oi' ll.OKiDA. 



47 



(ielochelidon niiotica. 
(iulhbilled Tern. Sec 



Hydrochefidon nij»ra 
mensis. 
Black Tern. See 

Sterna antillarum. 
Least Tern. See 



pa,<;e 191 



surma= 



pa-e 199 



page 197 



Family RHYNCHOPID.E. Skimmers. 




Rhynchops nigra. 



Length, IS to 20; Wing, 15 ; Tail, 5.50; liill (cul- 
men), ..70; (ionys, 4.25. Bill thin, knife like, 

lower mandible the longer, hasal half of hill 
vermilion red, blackish at tip. (leneral plumage 
black, white beneath. 



Rhynchops nigra. 
Black Skimmer. See page 200 



14^ 



KKY TO rill': WATICR 151K1)S Ol'" FLORIDA. 

Family DIOMEDEID.E. Albatrosses. 




Diomedia exulans. (Very much reduced.) 

Leno-th about 4 feet; extent of wings (spread), about 

^lo feet to 12 feet. Ceneral color yellowish white. Diomedea exulans. 

Wandering Albatross. 



See page 201 



Family PROCELLARIIDyE. Fulmars, Sin: arwaikhs, 

AND Petrels. 




Puffinus nidjor. 



Piiffuuis m.ijiir. I 



Length, 10.25 ; Wing, 12.50 ; 1 ail. 5-75 ■- l>i"- ^-^^ ■■ 
Tarsus, 2. Dark brown above, white beneath ; 
rrissuni dark : under tail coverts gray. Puffinus major. 

Greater Shearwater. 



.Sec page -'or 



Kl•:^• TO iiii-: \\A'ii;i< imkds oi' i-loi^ida. 



149 



Lengtli. 11. .">(>: Win-. 8; liill, 1.20; Tarsus. 1.55. 
Aljove brown ; under parts white ; crissuni brown 
and white. Puffin us auduboni. 

Audubon's Shearwater. 

Sec p;i,i5e 202 





/Estreiata hasitata. 



Oceanitcs occanicus. 



l.cni;th, Ki. ,"><): Win-. lH: ISill. 1.35; Tarsus, i.^o. 

Upper and under tail coverts white. /Estreiata hasitata. 

Black=capped Petrel. .Seepage 202 
Length, 7; VMng, .^.To: Tail. 2 .So : Tarsus. 1.30; 

liill. .50. General plumage sooty black ; white on 

tail coverts. Ocean ites ocean icus. 

Wilson's Petrel. .See page 203 

Length. «S : Wing. <>.2."» : Tail. 3.10 (above du.sky); 
'i'arsus. 1.50. Xo white on nape; under parts 

white. Cymodroma grallaria. 

White=bellied Petrel. 

.See page 203 

Family PIIAETHONTID.E. Tkolk Birds. 




Phaethon flavirostris. 

Lengtl). including tail. ol. ,">(): W'ing. 11: Tail. 21 : 
15il!. 2. (General color white : bill yellow; central 
tail leather very long. 



Phaethon flavirostris. 
Yellow=billed Tropic Bird. 

See page 204 



ISO 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

Family SULID^. Gannets. 




Sula bassana 



Sula sula. 



Length, 36: Wing. 18.50: Tail. 9: Bill. 4.10. 
Immature plumage mottled grayish l^rown and 
white ; head and neck white tinged with buff. 

Length, 27: Wing. 15.50; Tail. S: Bill. 4: Tarsus. 
1.60. Head and upper parts sooty brown; bill 
and feet pale yellow ; gular sack yellow. 

Length, 27: Wing, 16: Tail. 7.70: Bill, 4: Tarsus, 
1.S5. Head, white: head whitish; gular sac 
bluish ; feet reddish. 

Length, 27: Wing, 15: Tail, S: Tarsus, 2.10; Bill. 
3.50. Head white tinged with buff; feet coral 
red ; gular sac dusky. 



Sula bassana. 
Qannet. 



5ula sula. 

Common Booby, 



.See page 206 



.See page 205 



Sula cyanops. 

Blue=faced Booby. See page 



Sula piscator. 
Red=footed Booby. See page 



206 



Ki-:v 'JO 'riiic A\A'ii:it jukds ok i-lorida. 



i.Si 



Family ANHINGID.E. Dvin i;k.s. 




Anhinga anliinga. 

Length, .3;}.50-. Win- l;3.,>0; Tail, lo. Long;, 
snake^like neck; licad and neck black in nial'-, 
brown in female. Anhinga anhinga. 

Anhinga, Snak« Bird, Water Tur= 
key. See page 207 

Family PIIALACROCORACID.E. Cormora.ms. 




Plialacrocorax dilophus lldiidanus. 



Length, ,30; Wing, 12; Tail, 5.75; lUll, 2.20. Tail 
consists of 12 feathers. 



Phalacrocorax dilophus flori= 
danus. 
Florida Cormorant. See page 20.S 



KKV 'JO THE ^\'ATKI<- BIRDS ()]• FLORIDA. 

Family I^P:i;p:CANID.E. Pelicans. 





Pelecanus erythrorhynclius. 



Length, <>0 ; Win- 2-4-.50 ; 'rarsus, 4.45; I'-ill. i-'. 
(ieneral plumage white ; tail featliers, 24 : poucli 
yellow. 



Length, 50 : Wing, 20 : Tarsus, 2.90; i;ill, 1 
I'lumage not white. 



Pelecanus erythrorhynchus 

American White Pelican. 

See page 20y 



Pelecanus fuscus. 
Brown Pelican. 



See page 210 



KEY TO THE WATER DIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



:>«■) 



P^VMiLY FRP:GATID.E. Man-o^-Wai^ r>iRus. 



>>-■ 




Fregata aquila. 



Length, 42: Wing, 2f>: Tail, 16.50; Bills. ^'M 
phi?nagc blacky tail forked, wings long. 



Fregata aquila. 
Man=o'=War Bird. See page 211 



154 ^^'^^' '^'^ '^"^"'^ '^'^^ '^'i'J'J^ BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

Family ANATID^E. Ducks, Geese, and Swans. 
SuiJFAMiLY MERGIX^E. Mergansers, TooTii-mLEiiD Ducks. 



_~;^f*!|ppr 




Merganser americana. 



(1) Head greenish or blackish; bill narrow, with tooth=like serrations. 

I.eno-th. 20.50: Win- 1 1 : Tarsus. 2 : liill. 2.10. Tn- 

der parts creamy white tini^ed with salmon color. Herganser americana. 

American Herganser (male). 
Sheldrake. See page 212 

Length. U.'i ; ^\'ing. I): 'larsus, 1.90: liill, 2.J0. Breast 

hrown streaked with black. Merganser serrator (male). 

Red=breasted Merganser. 
Sheldrake. See page 213 



Head brownish or grayish ; bill narrow, with tooth-like serrations. 

Length. 24.50: Wing, J).!."*; Tarsus, 1.90: Bill. 2. 
Distance from nostril to tip of bill less than 

1«50. Merganser americana (female). 

American flerganser. 

See page 212 



kj:v 'JO 'Jill': wa'jj:^ uirds oi" i<j.orida. 




Lophodytcs cucullatus. 



Length, 21; Wing, 8.80 : Tarsus. 1.90; Dill. 2.5c. 
Distance from nostril to tip of l)ill more tliaii 

1.50. Merganser serrator ffemale). 

Red=breasted Merganser. 

See page 2 13 
Length, 18.50; Wing, 7.70: Tarsus. 1.25: iSill, 

1.50. Without crest. Lophodytes cucunatu5. 

Hooded flerganser (immature). 

See page 214 
Length, 18..">0; Wing. 7.75; Tarsus, 1.30; Lill, 

1.50. With small crest. Lophodytes cucullatus. 

Hooded Merganser (female). 

See page 214 



(2) Head with black and white crest; bill narrow with tooth=like serrations. 



Length, 1 9.. ■><> ; Wing, 7.7."»; Tarsus, 1.30; IJill, 1.50. Lophodytes cucullatus. 

(adult male). 
Hooded flerganser. See page 214 



1^6 



key to the water birds of florida. 
Subfamily ANATIN^^. River Ducks. 





Dafila acuta. 



Anas americana. 



(i) Hind toe without membranous lobe or flap. Belly 
white, sometimes faintly tinged with blackish or gray 
on lower part. Length over 17.50; wing over 8.50. 



Leniftli, 28: Wing, 9.50; Tail, 7; Bill, 2. Head 
brown ; speculum green, edged with black and 
white ; middle tail feathers elongated. 

Length, 22: Wing, 9.25 : Tail, 3.50; Bill, 2. Head 
brown; speculum brown and white; under wing 
coverts dark. 

Length, 23; Wing, 10.50; Bill, 2.20. Head greenish; 

speculum purplish, bordered with white and black ; 
feet red. 




Dafila acuta (male). 
Pintail. See page 223 



Dafila acuta (female). 
Pintail. See page 224 



Anas boschas (male), 
riallard Duck. See page 215 



KKV TO -rilF. \\ATI:R IJIKDS ()|- |-|.()KII)A, 



157 



/.<'//ov'//, 1 9.50 ; Wing, 10; Bill. 1.60. Head brownish, 
strealccd ; speculum wliite and hrown; feet yellow- 
ish ; under wing coverts black. 

Length, 19; Wing, 10; Bill, 1.55. Head brownish 
streaked ; speculum white and gray : under wing 
coverts white. 



l.LiigtIi, 19: Wing, 10.50: Tarsus, 1.60; Bill. 1.40. 
Head white and green, streaked and speckled with 
black; .speculum black and green ; feet bluish. 

Leiigtlt, 18.50: Wing, 9.50; Bill. 1.40. Head green 
and purple, showing white stripe; speculum blue, 
tipped with l)lack and white : feet yellow. 



Length. 18; Wing. 9.30 : Bill. 1.35. Head gray, show- 
ing white stripe; feet yellow. 



Anas strepera (male), 
(iadwall. See page 2i,S 



Anas strepera (female). 
Gadwall. See page 2 iS 



Anas americana. 

Baldpate Widgeon. Seepage 219 



Aix sponsa (male). 
Summer Duck. 
Wood Duck. See page 225 

Aix sponsa (female). 
Summer Duck. 
Wood Duck. .See page 225 



(2) Hind toe without membranous lobe or flap. 
Belly not white. 
Length over 17.50; wing over 8.50. 



Length, 22; Wing, 11.50; Bill, 2.10: Tarsus. 1.6;. 
Head brownish and buff ; belly buff brown, mot- 
tled; feet red : speculum purple, bordered with 
white and black. 

Length, 21; Wing, 10.75: Bill, 2.10; Tarsus. 1.75. 
Head and neck brown streaked : no black spot at 
base of bill ; speculum purple, edged with black; 
throat streaked. 



Length, 20; Wing, 10.20: Bill. 2: Tarsus, 1.70. Simi- 
lar to A. obsiiira. but paler; cheeks and throat 
not streaked; l)ill yellowi.sh olive; nail of bill 
and spot at base black : speciihttn purple, edged 
with black. 



Anas boschas 
Mallard. 



Anas obscura. 
Black Duck. 
Duskv Duck. 



Anas fulvigula. 
Florida Black Duck. 



female\ 

.See page 215 



.See page 216 



See page 217 



158 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 




Anas obscura. 



Spatula clypeata (male). 



Length. 20; Wino-, 950: 15111. 2.70: Tarsus. 1.50. 
Bill very much broadened ; head dark bluish 
green; feet orange red; speculum green, tipped 
with white. 



Length. H).50; Wing, 9.50 : Hill. 2.60: Tarsus, 1.50. 
Head brown: general plumage mottled and 
streaked brown and butt: bill very l)road : feet 
orange red; speculum green, tipped with white. 



Hind toe without membranous lobe or flap. 
Length under 17.50; wing under 8.50. 



Spatula clypeata (male). 
Shoveller. Broad^^bill. 

See page 2: 



Spatula clypeata (female). 
Shoveller. See page 223 



Length, 1 (> ; Wing, 7.25 ; Tarsus. 1.25; 15111, i/>o. A 
l)atch on the wing ])ale blue ; head and neck 
not chestnut; speculum green. 



Anas discors. 
Blue=winged Teal. 



See page 221 



Ki:V 'i'O 'I'll I". \\'\'!'l,li ItlKDS Oh' ILOKII) 



ISO 





Anas cUscors (malu). 



Anas caruliueiisis tnuilu). 



Li-ni^tli. 14. ,"»<►: W'in.n. 7.J0 : Tai-sus. 1.2:; : Hill. i.:;o. 
.\() 1)1lic iiatch on wiiiL;" ; speculum black, tipped 
wilii whitL'. 

Length. 1 <» : WiiiLi,. 7.50 : iSili, 1.75; Tarsus. t.^,o. Head 
and neck chestnut; a iiaicii ot l)liic mi wiiiL; : 
speculum green. 



Anas carolinensis. 
Qreen=wing;ed Teal. Sec i>a:-;e 220 

Anas cyanoptera. 
Cinnamon Teal. St-c page 221 



SuiMA.MiLv FlILIGIN.^. Si;.\ ])i:ck.s. 



(I) Hind toe with welUdefined membranous 
lobe or flap. 

Belly white, sometimes grayish or blackish 
on lower part ; no white on head. 




Aythya ameiicana. 



Lfiigth. 21. ."><►•. Wing. 9: Tarsus. 1.50: TJill. 2.;,o. Head 
reddish brown, cliin iuid crown dusky : speculum 
gray ; upper feathers edged with black. J\csciiilil<'s 
Redhead Duck, hut hill -^'t'ly ({ijfcrciit. (See figure.) Aythya vallisneria. 

Canvas=back Duck. See page 227 



:6o 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OV FLORIDA. 



,/ f^ 





Aythya vallisneria. 



Aythya affinis. 



Length, 21; Wing, S.40 ; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 2.20. 
Head rufous brown; speculum grayish ; upper 
feathers edged with black ; the rest narrowly 
tipped with white. (See figure showing difference 
in bill from Canvas-l)ack.) 

Length, 20.50; Wing, 8.30; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 2.20. 
Head grayish brown ; speculum grayish ; upper 
feathers edged with black; the rest narrowly 
tipped with white. Closely resembles female of 
Ring-neck Duck (.•/. co/hiris), but is largjr. 

Length, 19; Wing, S. 50: Tarsus, 1.50: Bill. 2. Head 
black glossed with green : back grayish ; specu= 
lum white. ' 



Length, 17: Wing, S.io: Tarsus, 1.50: Vy\\\. i.So. 
Similar to the preceding species, from wliicli it 
differs onlv in lieing somewhat smaller: head black 
with purplish gloss; speculum white. 



Aythya americana (male). 
Redhead Duck. See page 226 



Aythya americana ^female). 
Redhead Duck. See page 226 

Aythya marila nearctica (male). 
Greater Scaup Duck. 
Bluebill. See page 22S 



Aythya affinis (male). 
Lesser Scaup Duck. 
Bluebill. See page 229 



KKY TO 'nil', ^\■.\•n■.K ihrds oi" i'lokida. 



i6i 



Leniitli, 17: Wins, 7-5°' 'I'-'^i'^^'^- '-jO: l''"' '-/S- 

Head black with violet oloss, speculum gray. Aythya collaris (male). 

Ring=neck Duck. See pas^e 229 

Leno-th, 16.50; WiiiR-. S.25 : Tarsus, 1.40; i;ill, 1.60. 

Head brown ; speculum w liiii . Qlaucionetta clangula ameri= 

cana (female). 
American Golden Eye. 
Whistler. See page 23 1 

Hind toe with well=defined membranous lobe or flap. 

Belly white, sometimes grayish or blackish on lower part. 
Head showing more or less white or grayish white. 




G'aucioiietta clangula americana. 

Length, including lengthened tail. 21 : Wing. S.50; Bill. 
I. Tail pointed ; central leathers longest ; under 
tail coverts white. 



Length, 17.75; Wing, S.25 : Tarsus, 1.30; Bill, 1.60. 
Head brownish showing white at base of bill ; 
speciiliiiH Avhite. 



Length, 16.50; Wing, 7.70: Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 1.50. 
Similar to preceding, but somewhat smaller. 




Clangula hyemalis. 



Clangula hyemalis. 

Old Squaw. See page 232 



Aythya marila nearctica 
(female). 
Greater Scaup Duck. 
Blue=bill. See page 228 

Aythya affinis (female). 
Lesser Scaup Duck, 
Blue-bill. See page 229 



l62 



KEY TO Till-: WAT1:R IHRDS OF FLORIDA. 



LenQ;th. 19.50: Wing. 9.50: Tarsus, i. 



15111. 



Head brownish, siiowing a slight trace of whitish 
on the sides: under surface of body grayish; 
whitish on the belly : feathers on top of the 
bill less than one half inch from nostril ; no 
white on wing. 



Length, 16.40; Wing, 7.35; Tarsu.s, 1.20: Bill. 1.75. 
Head and neck grayish brown; chin and ante- 
rior portion of lores whitish: s)>e<Miluiii gray. 

Resembles female of Ayt/iyci aiiicyiiaiia but is 
smaller. 



Oidemia perspicillata (female). 
Surf Scoter. 
Skunk=head Coot. See page 235 



Aythya collaris (femaleV 

Ring=necked Duck. See page 229 



Length, 20.50; Wing, S.30 : Tarsus. 1.60: ISill. 2.10. 
Head and neck grayish brown: becoming whitisli 
on chin: si>eciiluiu Ji'ray: resembles femaL 
.■]ytJtva lolliuis. but is larger. 



Aythya americana (female). 
Red = head Duck. See page 226 



Lengtii. 19.50: Wing, 9.10: Tarsus, 1.60: 13111. 1.90. 
Head green; white patch at l)ase of bill: specu- 
lum white. 



•nglh, 12.75; Wing, 6: Tarsus, 1.20: Lill. i. Head 
purple, green, and white; back l)lack : speculum 
w hite. A very small duck. 



.ength, 12.50: Wing, 5.75: T;u-sus. 1.20: llill. i. 
White patch on side of the head ; l)ack brownish : 
.speculum white. A very small duck. 



Length, 15.25: Wing. 6: Hill. 1.50: T:u-sus. 1.20. 
General color chestnut brown or grayish brow 11 
(according to sex), siKery white beneath : patch 
of white on side of the head : tail feathers stiff 
and pointed. 



Glaucionetta clangula ameri= 
cana (male). 
American Golden Eye. 
Whistler. See page 231 



Charitonetta albeola (male). 
Buffle=headed Duck. 
Buffle-head. See page 231 



Charitonetta albeola (female). 
Buffle=headed Duck. 
Buffle=head. See page 231 



Erismatura rubida. 

Ruddy Duck. See page 23r. 



Kiev TO 'IMll-: \V.\T]-.\< KIRDS oi- ]-L()KIOA. 



163 



Hind toe with well=defined membranous lobe. 
Belly not white. 



[,engtli, 21 ; Wing, 11: Tarsus, 205 ; liill, 1.50. Gen- 
eral plumage black ; speculum white ; spot 
under eye white; l)ill orange at base : feathers 
on the bill bss than one half inch from nostril. 

1-engtli. 20.50 ; Wing, 11 ; 'I'arsus, 2 ; 15ill, 1.50. Gen- 
eral plumage grayish : speculum white ; feathers 
on the bill less than one half inch from nostril. 



Length, iS ; Wing, 9.25; Bill, 1.75: Tarsus, 1.85. 
General plumage black ; no white on the wing ; 
1-ill orange at base ; feathers on the bill more 
than one half inch from nostril. 



Length, 17.50: Wing. 9: Uill, 1.70; Tarsus, i.So. 
General plumage lirownisli : no white on wing ; 
bill black, feathers on the bill more than one 
half inch from nostril. 



Length. 20; Wing. 9.50; Tarsus. 1.75; Bill, 1.50. 
(leneral plumage black; leathers on top of bill 
extending farther forward tlian on side of l)ill : 
patch of white on bill: orange, black, and wliite 
front of head and nape : no white on wings ; 
feathers on the bill less than one half inch 
from nostril. 



Length, 19.50: Wing, 9.50: Tarsus, 1.75: Bill, 1.50. 
Head brownish, showing a sligiit trace of whitish 
on the sides ; under surface of body grayish ; 
palest on the belly. Feathers extended on upper 
part of bill more than on sides : no white on 
wings ; feathers on the bill less than one half 
inch from nostril. 



Oidemia deglandi (adult male). 
White=winged Scoter. 
White=winged Coot. 

See page 234 

Oidemia deglandi (male in 
winter and female). 
White=winged Scoter. 
White=winged Coot. 

•See page 234 

Oidemia americanafadult male) 
American Scoter. 
Butter=bill, Coot. .See page 233 



Oidemia americana ( female 
and immature). 
American Scoter. 
Butter=bill, Coot. See page 23, 



Oidemia perspicillata (^ adult 
male). 
Surf Scoter. 
Skunk=head Coot. See page 23 



Oidemia perspicillata (female). 
Surf Scoter, 
Skunk-head Coot. See page 235 



64 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

Subfamily ANSERINE. Geese. 




Branta canadensis. 



Length, 40; Wing, 19; Bill, 2.50: Tarsus, 3.20. Band 
of white on sides of the head and throat ; bill black; 
rest of head black. 

Length, 34; Wing, 17.40; Bill, 2.50; Tarsus, 3.10. 
Entire plumage white ; primaries black. 



Branta canadensis. 
Canada Goose. See page 239 

Chen hyperborea nivalis. 
Greater Snow Goose. 

See page 237 




Anser albifrons gambeli. 



KEY TO THE M'A'ri'.R lilKDS Ol" J I.OKIDA. 

Length, 28; ^Ving. i6: I')ilI,2 2o: Tarsus. 3. lo. Head 
white; rest of plunia!;c t;rayisli. 



1 63 



Chen cierulescens. 

Blue Goose. Stc page 237 

Length. 28: Wing. 16; Hill, 2; Tarsus. 2.90. Head 
brownish; hill vellowish ; nail black. A line of 
white at base of bill (adult). Anser albifrons gambeli. 

American White=fronted Goose. 
.See page 23S 
Length. 26: U'ing, 13.50: I'.ill. 1.(0: i'arsus. 2.40. 

Head entirely black ; bill black. Branta bernicla. 

Brant. .See page 240 



SlBEAMILV L'^'CiXIX.E. Sw .\NS. 




Olor columbianus. 



Length. 53; Wing. 21.50; Bill. 4; Tarsus, 4.20. 
Distance from front of tlie eye to nostril longer 
than from nostril to tip of bill. A spot of yellow 
on the lores in the adult; young birds gray. En= 
tire plumage white. 



Olor columbianus. 

Whistling Swan. See page 240 



1 66 



KEY TO Tin-: NNATJCR BIRDS OF l-T.ORIDA. 

Family PHGENICOPTERID.E. Flamingoes. 




Plicenicoptcrus ruber. 



Length. 47: Wing. 16.50; Tarsus, 12; Bill, 5.75. 
Plumage vermillion red ; bill pale yellow, tipped 
with black. 



Phoenicopterus ruber. 

Flamingo. See page ::4r 



Family PLATALFID.E. Spoonbills. 




Ajaja ajaja. 
Length, 31; Wing. 15: Tarsus. 4.10 ; Bill. 6.30. Bill 

tlat, widened at tip, plumage pink and white. Ajaja ajaja. 

Roseate Spoonbill. See page 242 



Ki:v ']•() TiiF. av.\t]:r iurds of i-lokida. 



167 



Family IBIDID.E. Iiuses. 




Plegadis autiimnalis. 



Lenci'tb, 25: Win.i::. "--5: ^'i"- 5-to. I*luinas'<' 

chcjstnut brown ; no wliite at base ol bill. Plegadis autumnalis. 

Glossy Ibis. See pa-c 245 

Length. 25; Win;::, i' ■- liill 5.50. Pluniaji'O cbes(- 
mit broAvn ; a line of white at base <»f 
bill. Plegadis guarauna. 

White=faced Ibis. See p:iL;e j |6 

Length. 26: Wini;-. 11.25: Hill. 6.;,o. l»lmna!;-e 

white; primaries tipped with black. Guara alba. 

White Ibis (adult). .See pai;e 243 



Len^tli, 26: Wini;-. ir: T.ill. ri.20. Plumage mixed 

gray and brown ; ljell\ white ; riiiiii* white. Quara alba. 

White Ibis (immature). 

See l)a,ne 243 
Length. 27: \\"ino-. 10.50: J Jill. 6.20. Plmna.u-<' 
brownish mottled : belly white: rump brown- 
ish. Quara rubra. 

Scarlet Ibis (immature). 

See page 244 



1 68 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 




Guara alba (adult). 

Length, 28: Wing, ii: Bill, 6.50. Plumage scarlet; 

leijfs and feet red. 



Quara rubra. 
Scarlet Ibis (adult) 



See page 244 



Family CICONIID.E. Storks. 






\ 






Tantalus luculator. 



.cnp;tli, 41: Wing, 1S.50: Tarsus, 8.20; Bill, 9.20. 
Plumage white : head and neck without feathers 
in adult. Tantalus loculator. 

Wood Ibis. See page 246 



Ki:v TO 'Jill-: \v.\i\:K niiius ok tlokida. 169 

P^AMii.v Al^DEID.E. IIkroxs and .P)Ittj:rns. 




Anit'a liciciili.is. 

Plumage nearly or entirely white. 

Length, 50; Wing, 1S.50; Tarsus, S.50; Bill, 6.40. 
Plumage white ; bill yellow ; legs greenish 

y®"**^- Ardea occidentalis. 

Great White Heron. See page 241; 




Aide.i nifcsccns. 



170 



KKY TO TIIK \VATi:U lURDS OF FLORIDA. 



Lcn-th. 40: Win;r. 15-25 ; Tarsus. 5.5^: TmII. 4.6c. 

Plumage >vhite ; hill yellow: leg:s and feet black. Ardea egretta. 

American Egret. Seepage 251 



Length. 28.50: Wing. 12.-5: Tarsus. 5.25 : Till. ;,.5o. 
Plumage vk hite : legs dark olive : terminal half 
of bill black : ba>al half flesh color. 



Ardea rufescens. 
Reddish Egret white phase). 

See page 254 



Length. 23.50 : Win-. 0.50 : Tarsus. 3.75 : r.ill, 3.25. 
Plumage entirely white: bill black, showing 
vcllow at base: legs black; feet yellow. 



Ardea candidissima. 
5nowy Heron. 
Little White Egret. See page 23. 



Length. 22.50: Wing. 10: Tarsus. 3.50: Bill. 3.10. 
Plumage white : tips of primaries washed 
with grayish blue ; legs and feet greenish 
Aellow. 



Ardea coerulea immature). 
Little Blue Heron. Sec page 2 



Pluma2:e not w hite. 



Length. 50: Wing. 20: Tarsus. S: Bill. 6.50. General 
color slaty or grayish variously marked with 
Avhite. black, and brownish : hill ycUoiiush. 



Ardea wardi. 
\\'ard's Heron. 



See page 250 



Length. 46: Wing. 1S.50: Tarsus. 7 : EilL 5. Similar 
to Ward's, but somewhat smaller; bill dark. 



Ardea he rod las. 
Great Blue Heron. 



.'^ee page 250 



Length, 29: Wing. 12: Tarsus. 5.40: BilL 3.80. Head 
and neck rufous chestnut : rest of plumage slate 
color : legs bluisli : terminal half of bill black ; 
basal half flesh color. 



Ardea rufescen.*;. 

Reddish Egret dark phase of 
plumage). See page 253 



Ki;v TO THH ^^■.\'^l:R isirds oi" Florida. 



171 



Length. 27.50: Wing. 10.50: Tarsus. 3.60 : Bill. 3.10. 
Plumage tawnv brown, streaked with dark brown. 



Botaurus lentiginosus. 

American Bittern. See page 247 



Length. 26: Wing. 10: Tarsus. 3.50: Dill. 3.80. Elon 
gated feathers on crown chestnut and white : 
throat white with brown stripe down the 
middle. 



Ardea tricolor ruficollis. 

Louisiana Heron. See page J54 



Length, 24: Wing. 12: Tarsus. 3.60: Bill. 3. Bill 
thick — l)lack: crown of head white and buff. 

Immature birds are mottled lirown having outer 
web of primaries slate color, not rufous brown. 



Nycticorax violaceus. 
Yellow=cr(>wned Night Heron. 

See page 25'j 



Length, 24: Wing. 12: Tarsus. 3.40: ^'i"- 3- Bill 
thick — black: crown greenish black. Imma- 
ture birds are mottled brown, having the outer wel) 
of primaries pale rufous brown. 



Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. 
Night Heron. See page 25S 



Length. 22.50: Wing. 10: Tarsus. 3.60: Bill. 3. Head 
and neck purplish brown: rt-st of plumage slaty 
blue : leirs and feet black. 



.Ardea ccerulea. 
Little Blue Heron (adult). 

See page 



Length. 22: Wing. 10: Tarsus. 360: Bill. 3. 
mage partly grayish blue, partly white. 



Plu- 



Ardea coerulea. 
Little Blue Heron (immature;. 

See page 256 



Length, 17 : Wing. 7 : Tarsus, i.So: Bill, 2.50. Crown 
dark greenish : neck chestnut with a line of buffy 
white down tlie middle of throat: legs greenish 
} ellow ; belly pale. 



Ardea virescens. 
Green Heron. 



See page 25; 



1^2 KEY TO THE WATICR IJIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

Length, 13.25; Winp;. 4.50 : Tarsus, i .60 : Bill, i.So. 
Very small ; throat pale yellow buff ; unckr 
parts pale. Ardetta exilis. 

Least Bittern. Sre page 24S 

Length. 13: Wing, 4.30: Tarsus. T.40: I'.ill, t.So. 

Throat and under parts deep chestnut. Ardetta neoxena. 

Cory's Least Bittern. 

See page 249 



Family GRUID.'E. Cranes. 




Grus ameritaiia. 



Lengtli. 51: Wing. 25.50: Tarsus, 12; Bill. 5.10. 
Plumage white; bare skin of head red. (Young 
birds have the head feathered.) 



Qrus americana. 

Whooping Crane. See page 260 



Lengtli. 45: Wing. 21.50: Tarsus, 10; Bill, 5.50. 
Plumage gray or brownish gray ; bare skin of 

head red. (\'oung birds have the head feathered.) Grus mexicana. 

Sandhill Crane. 



See page 26: 



Ki;V 'lO 'rill", WATICK lUKDS <)1" ]-L()Rll)A. 



173 



^^\^ITLY ARAMID^E. COL'RLANS, '' LiMPKTNS." 




Araiiius "iii.iiitr 



Length, 27.50: Wing, 12.50; Tarsus, 4.30 ; Bill. 4.10. 
Plumage brown, striped with white ; muki 
mandibk- sliglitl\' twisted near tip. Aramus gijjanteus. 

Limpkin, Crying=bird. 



See jiage 263 



Family KAT.LTD/E. I^ails. ( ;alli\lli:s, e'oor 
Sur.iAMii.v RALLJX.K. Rails. 




Lengtli. 16.50 ; Wing. 6.20: Tarsus. 2.30; 
Hill. 2.30. Upper parts hr^w iiisli olive, 
streaked with lihuk: breast cinnamon 
brown ; wing coverts rufous ; cheek 
rufous brown. 

Length. 15; Wing, 6; Tarsus, 2 ; L>ill, 
2.30. I'pper parts grayish olive streaked 
with black ; breast pale buff ; (hecks 
gravish. 



Rallus elegans. 
King Rail. 



See page 26.1 



Ralius longirostris crepitans. 
Clapper Rail. See page 265 



Rallus longinistris crepitans 



174 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 





Rallus eleeaiis. 



■^^ 



Porzana Carolina 



Length. 14.50: Wing, 5.75: Tarsus, 1.90: Bill. 2.10. 
Upper parts dark olive brown: wing coverts 
not rufous brown. 



Rallus longirostris scottii. 
Scott's Rail. .See page 26^) 



Length. 8.75: Wing. 4. jo: Tarsus. 1.30: />'///. 1.50. 
I'pper parts (lark: throat white: belly brown. 



Rallus virginianus. 
Virginia Rail. See page 265 



l.cngtii. 8.40 : Wing. 4.20 : Tarsus. 1.25 : Bill. 75 A' 90. 
Ipper parts dark : tinoat gray : a strijie on top of 
head and at base of bill black ; lower belly white. 



Length. 7.20: Wing, 3.50: Tarsus, i: Bill. 55. 
I eatliers of back banded with narrow white 

lines and edged with pale brown: upper belly white. 



Porzana Carolina. 
Carolina Rail. 
Sora. .See page 266 



Porzana noveboracensis. 
Yellow Rail. See page zG-] 



Length, 5.50: Wing. 3; Tarsus, .90: Lill. .60. Head, 
neck, and upper belly slaty gray ; lower belly 
plumbeous or blackish. 



Porzana jamaicensis. 
Little Black Rail. See page 267 



Subfamily GALLINULIN/E. (i ai.limh.ks. 



175 




¥ 



Idiiornis martmicn. 

Length, 11: Wing,;: liill, i.So: Tarsus, 2.40. Cien- 
eral color purplish blue; toes without lobate 
webs ; legs and feet yellow. 

Length, 12: Wing. 7.10; Bill. 1 .So ; Tarsus. 2.25. 
General color olive brown and gray ; lr(.)ntal 
shield and most of bill red : toes without lobate 
webs; legs and feet gr^'enish. .showing scarlet on 
upper portion of tibia. 




],in(inii!0 inartiTiica. 



lonornis martinicj 
Purple (iailinule. 



(jallinula .y^aleata. 
Florida (iailinule. 



See page 



zGS 



See ]>agi; 26S 



Sum AMI lA Fl'LICIN.E. 




Fulica nmeric.Tiia. 



Length. 15.50 : Wing. 7.40 : Tarsus. 2.20. Toes with 
lobate webs; legs greenish: basal jiortion ol 
bill and frontal shield white: general plumage 
slate color: head l)lackish. 




l''iilic.-\ anu-ricana. 



Fulica americana. 
American Coot, Mud=hen. 

Set; jiage 269 



176 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OI' II.ORIDA. 

Family PIIALAROPODID^. Phalaropes. 





C'rymophilus fuHcarius ( fool 



Ciiniopliilus fulicarius. 

Length, 7.50; Wing-, 4.40: Hill, .90: Tarsus. .85. 
Upper parts gray ; neck marked with rufous ; 
under parts white. Phalaropus lobatus. 

Northern Phalarope. See page 270 

Famua' RECURVIROSTRID.E. Avocets and Stilts. 




Recurvirostia americaiia. 

Lengtli. 17.50: Wing. S. 75: Tarsus, 3 70 : IJill. 3.60. 
Bill curved upwards — very slender: middle 
l)ack. rump and belly white: legs bluish; head 
and neck rufous in summer, gray in winter. 

Length, 15: Wing, 8.75: Tarsus, 3.90: Bill, 2.60. 
Forehead, l)ill .straight; a spot behind the eye, 
and under ]iarts white; rest of head, back, and 
wings black ; legs pink red. 



Recurvi rostra americana. 
American Avocet. .See page 271 



Himantopus mexicanus. 
Black-necked Stilt. See page 272 



Ki;v TO 'iiii'; ^\ \ri:R uikds oi' i'lokida. 



177 I 



Family SCOLOPACID.E. Sxtim:s, S.wninpKRS, Cirlews. 




Philohela minor. 



Length under 13 ; wing under 7; bill over 2; toes four in number. 



Lent;tli, II; Winu,'. 5.50: Hill, 2.70; Tarsus, 1.J5. 
L'lider parts rufous brown: three outer prima = 
ries attenuated ; fourth and fifth primarits longtsl. 



Lenu^th, 1 1; Wins;, 5.35 : Tail, 2.25 ; Tarsus. 1.25: l;ill 
2.60. Throat whitisii; l)elly white: undt-r tail 
coverts l)arred with black: no 7i'('/' l>ct\>.u-cii toes. 



Length, 10.50: Win"-. 5.50: Tarsus. 1.35: ISill. 240. 
Tail and tail coverts barred with black : ;i rvvj 
siiiall web between the inner toes. 



Length, 10.75: Wing. 5.75 : Tarsu.s. 1.50: liill, 2.^5. 
Resembling preceding species, but somewh:il 
larger : l)ill longer. 



Philohela minor. 
American Woodcock. 



-See page 273 



Gallinago delicata. 
Wilson's Snipe. 
English Snipe. See page 273 



Macrorhamphus griseus. 
Dowitcher. 
Red=breasted Snipe. 

.See page 275 



Macrorhamphus scolopaceus. 
Long=billed Dowitcher. 
Red=breasted Snipe. 

.See page 275 



178 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 




Oallinagii deliLala. 

Length under 13 ; wing under 7 ; bill less than 2 and more than i ; toes four 
in number. 



Length. 12; Wing. 6.75: Tarsus, 2 : Bill, 1. 15. Bill 
greenish, yellowish at base ; legs grayish yellow ; 
head, upper parts, and breast mottled brown and 
tawny ; axillars barred white and slate color; belly 
white. 



Length. 10.50; Wing, 6.40: Tarsus, 2.05 : Bill. 1.40. 
Legs yellow : bill black: upper parts grayish 
brown; breast mottled ; ])l-11v white. 



Length, 10.50; Wing. G.40 ; Tail, 2.40: Tarsus, 1.30: 
Fiill, 1.50. Legs and feet black. In summer 
under parts, except belly, reddish brown ; in winter 
upper parts gray ; breast pale gray. 

Length, 9: Wing, 5.25; Tarsus, 1.05: r)ill, 1.15. 
Upper parts brown and tawny; throat and belly 
white ; breast pale brown. 



Bartramia longicauda. 
Bartramian Sandpiper. 
Upland Plover. See page 2S6 



Totanus flavipes. 
Summer Yellow = legs. 
Yellow=legs. See page 28^ 



Tringa canutus. 
Knot. 



See page 276 



Tringa maculata. 
Pectoral Sandpiper. 
Qrass-bird. See page 



k.i:y to Tin-: wati-.r iurds oi- j lorida. 



179 




Tringa canutus. 



::/ 







Tringa maculata. 



Length. 8.75: Win-, 5.20: Tarsus, i: T'-ill, 1.30. 
Upper parts gray, sliowing faint purplish retiec- 
tions. 

Length, 8: Wing, 5.20: Tarsus, 1.60: liill. 1.20. I'.ack 
olive green spotted with wliite : axillars ])arreil. 

Lengtli, 8: Wing, 5.20: Tarsus. 1.60: liill, 1.60. Legs 
long: upper tail coverts liarred with black and 
white in suinnier: wliite in winter. 

Length. 7.^0: Wing, 4.90: Tarsus, 1.05: Bill, 1.60. 
Upper I.eily Idack in breeding plumage. In win- 
ter breast gra\ . shafts of the feathers brown. 



Length, 5.40: Wing, 3.S0: Tarsus, .90; Bill, i.io. 
A small w eb between the toes. 



Tringa maritima. 

Purple Sandpiper. See page 277 

Totanus solitarius. 

Solitary Sandpiper, See page 2S4 



Micropalama himantopus. 
Stilt Sandpiper. See page 276 



Tringa alpina pacifica. 
Red=backed Sandpiper. 
American Dunlin. See page 279 

Ereunetes occidentalis. 
Western Sandpiper. See page 2S0 



Length under 10; wing under 6; bill 1 or less; toes four in number. 

Length, 8: Wing. 5.30; Tarsus, 1. 10; Bill, .So. L.reast 



buti or gravish buff. 



rryngites subruficollis. 
Buff=breasted Sandpiper. 

See page 2S7 



i8o 



KKV TO TII15 WATI'-.K lilKDS Ol" FLORIDA. 



Length, 7.70: Wing, 5.10; Tarsus, 1.05: I'.ill. .90. 
Middle upper tail coverts white. 

Length, 7.50; Wing, 4.40; Tarsus, i : liill. .90 to i. 
Back olive green, showing bronzy reflections w lien 
held in the light. 

Length, 5.75: Wing. 3. So: Tarsus. .00 : liill. ..S5. A 
small web between the toes. 

Length. 5.75 : Wing, 4.05 ; Tarsus. .90; liill, .70. No 
web between the toes. 




Tringa fuscicollis. 

White=rumped Sandpiper. 

See page 278 

Actitis macularia. 
Spotted Sandpiper. See page 287 

Ereunetes pusillus. 
Semipal mated Sandpiper. 

See page 279 

Tringa minutiHa. 

Least Sandpiper. See page 278 



Triiiga minutilla. 



Length under 10 ; wing under 6 ; toes three 

Length. 8.15: Wing. 5.05 : Tarsus. .95 : liill. i. 



in number. 

Calidris arenaria. 

Sanderling. See p;iL 



e 280 



Length over 13 ; wing over 7 ; bill over 2.75 ; toe.s four in number. 



Length, 24 ; Wing, 10; Tail. 4.10; Tarsus, 2.30: liill 
from 4 to 8. liill very long and curved down= 
ward : general plumage brownish rufous : axillars 
barred. 

Length, 18; Wing, 9: Tail, 3.60: Tarsus. 3; Bill. 
4.60. Upper parts brownish : under parts rufous : 
bill curved slightly upward ; axillars brownish. 

Length, 17.20; Wing, 9.40; Tarsus, 2.10: liill. 3.70. 
Bill curved downward ; plumage mottled brown 
above, middle of head with dull buffy white 
stripe; axillars barred. 



Numenius longirostris. 

Long:=billed Curlew. See page 28.S 

Limosa fedoa. 

Marbled (iodwit. See page 281 



Numenius hudsonicus. 
liudsonian Curlew. 
Jack Curlew. See page 2S9 



KKV TO TIIIC WATKR F.IRDS Ol' ]-L()Rll)A. 



iSi 




Liiiiiibii Icdoa. 



Length 15.25 : Wing. S.io: Tarsus. -.30 : liill. 3.30. 
Under parts rufous Imowu or chestnut brown 
barred with dusky black: bill slightly curved 
upward : axillars black. 



Limosa ha^mastica. 

Hudsonian Godwit. See page 2S2 



Length over 13; wing over 7 ; bill under 2.75; toes four in number. 

Length. 14; Wing. 7.60: Tarsus. 2.00: Hill. j.30. 
Liil bhick. nearlv straight; legs yellow : primaries 

blackish. Totanus melanoleucus. 

Greater Yellow=legs. 
Winter Yellow=legs. .See page 283 
Length 16; Wing, 8.50; Tarsus. ::.6o'. Bill. j. 30. Lill 
black, nearly .straight : prominent white patch 
on wing; legs grayish ; axillars black. Symphemia semi pal mata. 

Willet. See page 285 



length. 16; Wing. 8.()0; Tarsus, j.i.^ ; Lill. 2.40. . , .. • 

Shghtlv larger.' but very similar to preceding. Symphemia semipalmata m- 

ornata. 
Western Willet. See page 2S6 



iSi 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 




Nunicnius hudsoiiicus. 



Lcn'j;tli. 14; Wing. 740: Tarsus. 2.50: l>ill. 2.15. 
Rump and uppt-r tail coverts and crissum pure 
white : bill nearly straioht : somewhat resembles 
a Yellow-legs, but has olive green legs. 

Lengtli, 13; Wing. S. 25 : Tarsus. 1.75: Bill, 2.30. 
Bill curved downward: plumage mottled brown 
streaked with brown ; top of head dark brown : 

axillars barred. 



Totanus nebularius. 

Green=shank. See page 2S2 



Numenius borealis. 
Eskimo Curlew. 
Dough=bird. See page 29c 



Family L'IIARADRITD.E. Plovers. 

Length over 9 ; wing over 6 ; toes four in number. 
( The hind toe so small as hardly to be noticeable.) 



.rngth. 11.50; Wing. 7.50: Tail, 3: Tarsus, 1.90 
liill, 1. 10. IJill thick; axillars smoky black. 



Charadrius squatarola. 
Black= breast Plover. 
Beetle=head. See page 290 



KKV TO TIIJC \\'AT1;R lUUDS OF FLORIDA 





Charailrius squntarola (winter). 



yEsialitib vociferd. 



Length over 9 ; wing 6 or over; toes three in number. 

( No rudimentary hind toe.) 
Lcn-th. 9.50; Win-. 7: Tail. -.50; Tar.sus. 1.(15: Hill, 

.90. Axillars gray. Charadrius dominicus. 

Golden Plover. Sec page 

Length. 10.30: Wing. f',. 50: Tail. 3.50: Tarsu.s. 1.30: 

Bill, .80. Rump rufous brown. /Egialitis vocifera. 

Killdeer Plover. .See page 



•';- 



'-9- 



Lcngth under 9 ; wing under 6; toes three in number. 



Length. 8.10: Wing. 6: Tail. 2.60: Tarsus, 1.50: 
Bill. .So. Alwve grayish lirown : under parts dull 
white; buffy white on breast. In summit, 
front of crown and loral streak black. In winter, 
no black on head. 

Length. 7.70: Wing. 4.40: Tail. 1 .()0 : Tarsus. 1.25 : 
Lill, .80. liill large. l)hu;k: a band of black or 
brown on the breast. 

Length. 7: Wing. .(.30: Tail, j: Tarsus. .So: IHU. .50. 
Bill orange at base : legs yellow ; no black stripe 
from bill to eye. 

Length. 7.10: Wing. 4.75: Tail, 2.25: Tarsus. .90 : 
i;ill. .50. r>ill orange yellow at liase: a black 
stripe from the bill passing under the eye ; 

toes with small web. 



/Egialitis montana. 

Mountain Plover. See page 



/Egialitis wilsonia. 

Wilson's Plo\ er. See page 

y4Egiaiitis meloda. 

Piping Plover. See page 



/Egialitis semipalmata. 
Ring=neck Plover. See page 



-95 



■•J A 



■'J\ 



^^4 key to the water birds of florida. 

Family APIIRIZID.E. Surf Birds and Tirxstones. 




Arenaria interpres. 
Length. 8.60: Wing, 5.70: 'lail. 2.60: Tarsus, i ; 



I5ill. 



95- 



Arenaria interpres. 
Turnstone. See page 296 



Family ILEMATOPODID^E. Oyster-catlmers. 




Hsmatopus palliatus. 

Length, 18.50; Wing, 10.50; Tarsus, 2.35: Bill, 3.50. 

Head, neck, and back black ; under parts wliite ; Hajmatupus palliatus (billj. 

bill orange red in winter, deep red in summer. Hasmatopus palliatus. 

Oyster=catcher. See page 2^p 



ki:y to '1"iie waiicr dirds ok ki.orida. 



185 



ORDER PYGOPODHS. 

Di\ rx(i BiRHs. 

Family PODICIPID.E. Gkehes. 

Genus COLYMBUS Linn. 

C0LYMBU5 AURITUS Linn. 
Horned Grebe. 




Adult in siiinniir : Upper parts, including Ijack. wings, 
top of the head and back of the neck, glossy black : throat 
l)lack : front of the neck, breast, and sides of the body rufous 
chestnut: rest of under parts white: wings dusky black; 
secondaries wliite : lores dull chestnut: the two small tufts 
of feathers at the sides of the occiput brownish butt. 

Adult in -Lvintcr and iniinaturc : Head and back gray- 
ish, under parts white, usually tinged with gray on tJie breast 
and lower throat : no tufts on sides of the head in winter 
plumage. 

Length, 13.40: Wing. 5,40 : Tarsus, 1.70 : bill. .85 to .95. 

The Horned Grebe is not uncommon on the 
Atlantic coast durintj^ the migrations, breeding 
from tlie Northern United ^States northward and migrating in winter south to 
Florida and the Gulf vStates. 

The nest is constructed on floating debris : eggs, foiu" to sex'en. dtdl 
white or yellowish white. 

Range: ••Northern Hemisphere: breeds from I'nited States northward." 

(A.o.u.) 



1 86 



KKY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Genus PODILYMBUS Lesson. 

PODILYMBUS P0DICEP5 [Linn.). 
Pied=billed Grebe. 







Adu/f in xitiiiincr pluiiiaf^e : Throat black, and a black l)and on the bill: no tufts on sides 
of the head in any plumage. Winter pluiitagc : Throat grayisli white, no l)lack band on 
ImII ; sides faintly washed with pale brown. 

Length, 13.50; Wing', 5 ; Tarsus, 1.45; Bill. .90. 

Often confounded with the precedino- species in winter dress. 

Florida in winter : not very common. It occasionally breeds in the State. 

Ran^e : British Provinces of North America to South America. Nests 
on floating vegetation or slightly submerged marshes : eggs three to eight, 
yellowish white or dull white in color. 



KEY '!■() Till': W .\|-|;i< IJIKDS Ol' I'l.OR 1 1).\ . 



187 



Family URrNATORID.E. Looxs, Dn lrs. 
Genus URINATOR Ci yfer. 




URINATOR IMBER (6//////.) 
Loon. Great Northern Diver. 



Adult in suiiiincr : Head and neck black, showing green in some lights. A patch of white 
streaked with black on the throat and sides of the neck; under parts white: back streaked 



l88 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

and spotted with white. ]]'intcr plumage : Head grayisli. throat white or grayisli white, wings 

and back not streaked or spotted. 

Length, 31 : Wing, 14 ; Tarsus, ^.y^^ : Uill. 2.75. 

A winter visitor to Florida, ranging- from the far North, south to the 
Gulf of Mexico. It breeds from the northern United States northward. 
The eiitis are crravish or greenish brown, heavily blotched with dark brown : 
they are usually two in number, deposited on the ground : the nest consists 
merely of a little grass or dried weeds. 



URINATOR LUMME (Gunn.). 
Red=throated Loon. Red=throated Diver. 




Adult ill siiiiiiiicr : Back and wings slaty brown marked with white: head and neck 
gray; nape Ijlack streaked witli white : front of the neck reddish hrowu, under parts white. 
Adult ill li'iiiter : Throat white or grayish white; back showing wliite spots. 
Length. 24.50: Wing. 11.25: Tarsus, 2.50: Bill 2. 

Florida in winter : not unconnnon on the coast. ])reeds from the North- 
ern United States northward. It ranges in winter to the Gulf of Mexico. 
The eggs are two in number, which are deposited on the ground near 
water, the nest being merely a little grass ; they are olive brown in color, 
blotched with dark brown or black. 



Kiev TO 'nih; \\\'ri:i< iukds oi' i'i.okida. 

ORDER LONGIPENNES. 

Long- Wing !•: i ) S\\ r m m e k s. 

Famiia STERCORARIID.E. j.i:(;i.:rs. 
Genls STERCORARIUS I^RissoN. 



189 



^ 




STERCORARIUS PARASITICUS (//////.). 
Parasitic Jieger. 

Length from base of hook on end of l)ill (unguis) to frontal feathers greater than from un- 
guis to tip of upper mandiljle. 

Adult {light phase of pliiiiiage) : upper parts slaty gray, a tinge of pale yellow on the sides 
of the head and neck. Crown of the head and lores .sooty black; under parts white, sliading 
into slaty gray on sides and lower belly: two middle tail feathers pointed. 

Adult {dark pliase) : general plumage sooty Ijrown ; slightly paler below : crown dark 
brown. 

I miiiaturc (light phase) : head and neck streaked with buff or gray: under parts mottled 
and barred with slaty gray : upper parts dark gray : some of the feathers edged with buff. 

I imnaturc {dark phase) : general color slaty brown : neck marked with white: feathers on 
the l)elly l)arred with dull white. In all plumage the two middle tail feathers are pointed, and 
the tarsus is blacl< in freshly killed specimens. 

Length. 17 to 20 : Wing, 13: Tail (adult), S. 40, (inunature). 6 : Tarsus. 1.60: Hill. 1.20. 



190 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FEORIDA. 



Accidental on the Florida coast in winter. It ranges from the far North 
southward to South America and South Africa. It breeds in hit^h northern 
latitudes. The eggs are olive brown, blotched with chocolate brown. The 
nest is a little grass in a .slight depression in the ground. 





Stercorarius parasiticus (arlult). 



Stercorarius parasiticus (immature). 



5TERC0RAR1U5 L0NQICAUDU5 llcill. 
Long=tailed Jaeger. 

Length from l^ase of the hook on end of upper mandible (unguis) to frontal feathers less 
than from unguis to tip of upper mandible ; tarsus blue in freshly killed specimens, feet 
black. 

Adult ■ Above slaty gray : top and sides of the head dull black ; sides of the head and neck 
pale yellow ; under parts dark slate color : chest and upper belly whitish. 

Jiinnatiire : Resembles the preceding species in color : but may be distinguished by com- 
paring the measurements of the l)ill and tail. 

Length, 191023; Wing, 12.50: Tail (adult), 12.50 (immature). 6 : Tarsus, 1.65: 15ill. i.io. 

It breeds in high northern latitudes, ranging soutliward in winter to the 
West Indies and Gulf of Mexico. The eggs are three in number, pale 
olive brown blotched with chocolate brown. It nests on the ground. 

A bird of this species was found dead on the beach, a short distance 
north of Cape Canaveral. I have never seen it alive in Florida. 



K\:\ 'lo Till-: w .\ii:r imkds oi-^ i-i.okida. 



191 



IvxMii.v LARID.E. Gulls and Ticrns. 



Sir.iAMii.Y LARIN.-E. Gulls. 



Genus LARUS 1>inn. 







\ 



• I 



LARU5 MARINU5 Z/>///. 
Great Black=backed Gull. 



Adult in SI1//1//UT : Whole back dark slate color ; outer piimaiics l)lack. with tips and tcrnii- 
naLspotsof wliite: liead and under parts white. 

Adnlf in winter : Head and neck streaked with gray. Immature birds are mottled dusky and 
buff: head and neck streaked : tail with narrow subterminal band: a very large gull. 

Length. 29: Wing. 18: Tail. S: Tarsus. 2.70: IMll 2.40. 

Coast of North America south to South CaroHna : accidental in Florida. 
Breeds from Northern Maine northward. The nest is built on the oround ; 
the eo-i;s are usualh- two. pale browiu marked with chocolate brown. 

A specimen of this mdl w.ts shot near St. Augustine during iIk- winter 
of 1894-5. 



192 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



LARUS ARGENTATUS SMITHSONIANUS Cours. 
American Herring Gull. 




White near end of outer primary separated 
from the white tip by a band of black. 

Adult in sitinmer: Back pearl gray; liead, 
neck, and under parts white; in winter the 
adult has the head and neck streaked with 
ashy gray. First primary tipped with white 
with a subterminal band of black ; this, in 
turn, is followed by a white band and then 
another black one. 

Iiiiiitaiurc : General plumage mottled pale 
brown or buff. 

Length. 24 : Wing, 17.50: Tail, 7.50: Bill, 
2.10. 

The European species, Lams argoitatus, 
is very similar, but has the two white marks 
at tip of primary joined and not separated by the black, 

Raii^res throuchout North America : common in Florida in winter. It 

breeds from Maine northward. Nest constructed of grass or seaweed, 

usually on the ground ; eggs brownish white, lined and blotched with dark 

brown. 



h 



LARUS DELAWARENSIS Ord. 
Ring^billed Gull. 



of Mexico. Not unconnnon in Florida, 
buff marked with chocolate brown. 



Adult iu suuiuicr : Bill yellowish 
banded with black; mantle pearl gray : 
feet pale yellow or greenish : lirst primary 
l)lack with a suliterminal white spot. In 
winter, head and neck streaked with 
dusky : band on bill less distinct. 

Iinmature : General plumage mottled 
gray or buff gray ; bill yellowish tipped 
with black. 

Length. I cS. 40 : Wing. 14: Tail, 6 : Bill, 
1.65. 

Ranges throughout North 

America, in winter south to Gulf 

Nests on the groimd : eggs pale 



KEY TO Till: \\'.\rj:R lURDS Ol" I'LORIDA. 



^93 



l.ARUS ATRICILLA Linn. 
Laughing (lull. 




Aiiull in Slimmer : Head and throat plum = 

beous ; rest of u])pc'r parts pearl ^,ra\- : under 
parts u hite ; bill reddish. 

Adiiif in win/iT : Head wliite marked with 
ash t;i"ay : throat white. 

Length. I6.5O; Wing. I2.5O; Tail, 5 : I'.ill, 
1.75. 

This species has a \\ ide iM-eediiiij 

raiii^e, extending from Maine to the 

Gulf of Mexico. It is resident and 

breeds in Florida. The nest is built 

on the ground in marsln' places, and 

the eggs, usually four or ii\e, are 

grayish or pale brownish, blotclied 

with chocolate brown. 



LARUS PHILADELPHIA (Ord). 
Bonaparte's Qull. 




in wnite 
built in 
spots. 



r. 
snial 



Adult in sumnuT : Bill black ; head and neck phimbeous ; 
feet orange red ; t<ul white. 

Adult i)i lointei- : Head and neck white: top of the head 
grayish ; feet flesh color. 

N., Immature birds have a white tail with subterminal band of 

black. 
^ Length. 13. 5O : Wing. 10.40 : Tail. 4.15 : Bill. 1.30. 

North America, south in winter to Central 

America and West Indies. Common in Florida 

Breeds far northward. Nest composed of brush and grass 

1 trees or bushes. Eggs four, pale olive, marked w^ith brown 




iq1 key to the water birds of florida. 

Subfamily STERNIN.^. Terns. 
Genus GELOCHELIDON Brehm. 

QELOCHELIDON NILOTICA [Hassehj.). 
Gulhbilled Tern. 

.4 dill t ill siiiiiiiicr : Top of head and nape black: 
upper part, including rump and tail, pearl gray: 
under parts white; bill and feet black, the former 
comparatively short and stout. 

Adult in ivinter: Similar, but having the head 
and neck white, the nape ashy, and a dusky patch 
in front of the eye. 

Length, 14; Wing, 12: Tail, 5.50; IJill, 1.40: 
I Tarsus, i .30. 

A most widely distributed cosmopoli- 
tan species. It is common in Florida 
and probably breeds in tbe State. It occurs commonly on the middle Atlan- 
tic coast in summer where it breeds, and occasionally wandering as far north 
as Maine. The eggs are usually three in number, pale brownish white, 
faintly mottled with brown, deposited in a slight depression in the sand. 

Genus STERNA Linn. 

STERNA T5CHEQRAVA Lcpech. 
Caspian Tern. 

Adult ill spring: Bill deep 
red ; top of the head black, rest 
of upper parts pearl gray: pri= 
maries dark slate color on 

inner webs, hoary on outer webs : 
tail grayish white : feet l)lack. 
Adult in winter : Top of the head streaked 
with black ; tail showing brownish liars. 

Length, 21: Wing, 16; Tail, 6.10: Bill, 
2.60: Tarsus, 1.50. 

According to Mr. Scott, the Caspian Tern 

/ occurs in Florida.* I haye neyer met with it in 

the State : it is known to breed on the Virginia 

coast, and probably is a regular summer \isitant 

to Florida. 

* Since tlie above was written, a l)ira of tliis species was killed in March near the head of the Banana River by Mr. T. Watson 
Merrill, of lioston. 




Ki:v I'o Tiii-^ \vati:r iurds ok Florida. 



195 




STERNA MAXIMA BoJd. 
Royal Tern. 

Adult in spriiii;: Bill orange yel= 

low; tail forked: crown and nape Ijlack ; 
wings and back pearl gray, shading in 
white on tlic rump and upper tail 
coverts, outer primary abruptly 
marked with white on inner por= 
/ tion of inner web ; feet l)lack. 

./(///// in fall and loiiiter: Forehead 
and front of crown white: occiput and 
nape black streaked with white: edges 
of eyelids black. 
Lengtli, ly: Wing. 14: Tail. 7': Tarsus. 1.35: liill, -.60. 

Tropical Amei'ica, occa.sionally wanderin*,^ as far north a.s New England, 
h is common in Florida, breeding in the State. It breeds commonly on the 
middle Adantic coast, having been found breeding in munbers on the coa.stof 
\^ir<rinia. The eggs are two to four, dull white, mottled with chocolate brown. 
Range : - Tropical America and warmer parts of North America northward 
to Massachusetts, the Great Lakes, and California, west coast of Africa 
north to Tangiers." (.v.o.i . ) 



STERNA SANDVICENSIS ACUFLAVIDA 
Cabot's Tern. 



: Cabot ). 



:^^- 




Adult in sprini^r : Bill black, tipped with 

■yellow; cap black : upper back (mantle) whit- 
ish : rest of upper plumage pearl gray : under 
parts white, sometimes showing a faint rosy flush: 
first primary edged with white to the tip, cover- 
ing the entire inner web at the base and narrow- 
/ ing to an almost imperceptible line at the tip : 

tail white, forked: legs and feet black. 

/// u'iiitfr the crown is white dotted with l)lack. 
Length. 15.50: Wing. 10.50: Tail. 5.50: liill. 
2.10 ; Tarsus, .90. 

This species occiu's in Florida 
throughout the vear, but is much more abundant in summer than in winter. 
It breeds on both coasts of Florida: the eggs are pale brownish white, 
streaked and spotted with brown. 

Range : '' Tropical America, northward along the Atlantic coast irregularly 
to Southern New England."' (a.o.l.) 




1^6 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

STERNA F0R5TERI Xutt. 
Forster's Tern. 

Adult ill summer: Crown black ; upper parts pearl ^.ray : 
under parts white : inner web of outer tail featlier 
darker tlian outer web ; bill reddish orange tipped with 
black : feet yellowish. Adult in winter : Bill dark brown : 
feet brown : head grayish ; a dusky black patch on sides 
of the head, enclosing the eye. Immature in winter : 
Upper parts mottled with pale brown or buft". 

Length. 15 : Wing, 10.25; Tail, 6.60; Tarsus, .90; Bill. 
1.50. 

The range of Forster's Tern extends nearh' 
tln-ouo-hout North America. It is common in winter in Florida, both on the 
east and west coast. It breeds commonly on Cobb's Island, Va. : the eggs 
are two to three in number, nsnallv laid on the sand : they are pale buff or 
greenish gray marked with dark brown. 



STERNA HIRUNDO //////. 
Common Tern. Maclterel "Qufl." 





Adult in summer : Bill red, Ijroadly tipi)cd with black: feet red: crown black: upper parts 
pearl gray; under parts pale ashy gray. Adult in winter : I-orehead and crown white or grayish 
wliite : under parts white. Immature specimens liave the upper parts mottled with buff or pale 
brown. The outer web of outer tail feather is darker than the inner web at all seasons. 



KV TO Till". \\\II:K IMKDS OF FLORIDA. 



197 




Length, 15; Wint;-, 10.60; Tail, 5.50; Tarsus, .75; 
r.ill, 1.50. 

A widely distributed species not un- 
common in Florida in winter. It breeds 
commonly alon<^ the Atlantic coast; the 
e<^(»'s are three in number, <rrayish or buff 
white, marketl with chocolate brown. 




STERNA DOUQALLI Montag. 
Roseate Tern. 

Adult spring pluiiicige : bill black, tinged with red at 
base ; slender ; cap black : upper plumage pearl gray ; 
under parts white, tinged with pink when freshly killed. 
Tail entirely white; outer feather longer than the 
others; legs vermillion red; iris brown. Adult in 
winter: Forehead whitish or grayish white ; occiput 
and upper nape black. Immature specimens have the 
upper parts mottled with gray and buff. 

Length, 15; Wing, 9.75: Tail, 7.50: Tarsus. .85 ; 
Bill, 1.55. 
A common species on the Atlantic coast. It is resident and breeds in 
Florida, ranghig in summer north to New England. 

The eggs are three in number, pale, buffy gray or grayish white 
marked with chocolate brown. 



^ 



This is the smallest 
breeds in the State, 
brownish white dotted 



STERNA ANTILLARUM {Less:). 
Least Tern. 

Adult in summer : Bill yellow, tipped with black; fore- 
head white ; crown and lores black ; upper parts pearl gray ; 
under parts white ; outer primaries brownish black on outer 
webs and inner half of inner webs ; tail white ; feet orange 
yellow. 

Adult in -winter : Forepart of crown white, marked with 

black ; occiput black. Immature birds have the upper parts 

mottled with buff and the bill dark brown. 

Length. 9.50; Wing, 6.85 ; Tail, 3.50; Tarsus. .60 : Bill, 1.20. 

of the Terns. It is resident in parts of Florida and 

The eggs are three, sometimes four, pale buff or 

with brown. 



198 



KEY TO THE WATER ]iIRDS Ol' FI>ORIDA. 



Range : " Northern South America nortliward to California and New Eng- 
land and casually to Labrador, breeding nearly throughout its range." 

(a.o.u.) 
STERNA FULIQIN05A (hml. 
Sooty Tern. 

Adult ill sniiniier ; Bill black; crown and 
entire upper plumage black; dusky on the 
nape: forehead white, extending back in a 
pointed streak from the sides of the forehead, 
but not reaching above the eye ; under parts 
white; outer tail feathers white, shading into 
dark brown on the inner web near the tip ; legs 
and feet black. 
_»/ J Length, 16.50: Wing, 11.50; Tail. 7 : Tarsus, 

• \^^ ■^°' ^'^^' '■^°' 

'''••'>«0'^^ The Soot}' Tern is common along 

the coast of Southern Florida in summer. It probably breeds in Florida, as 

it does so in large numbers in the Bahama Islands. Eggs usually two, buff 

white marked with chocolate brown. 

Range: "Tropical and stib-tropical coasts of the globe." (a.o.u.) 





STERNA AN/ETHETUS 
Bridled Tern. 



Su'/. 



Sp}-ing phnnage, bill black ; cap 
black ; forehead white, extending in a stripe 
on both sides of the forehead over and 
beyond the eye ; upper back (mantle) gray- 
ish, shading into white on the sides of the 
neck ; wings grayish brown, under parts 
white ; primaries dark brown, the first and 
second showing a stripe of white on the inner 
webs not reaching the tips ; upper tail coverts 
slaty gray ; outer tail feathers almost entirely 
white, showing a slight tinge of brownish 
near the tip ; legs and feet black. 

Length, 14.25 ; Wing, 10.40 ; Tail, 6.25 ; 
Tarsus, .70; Bill, 1.50. 
The Bridled Tern is a tropical species which is accidental on t)ur coast. 
It has once been taken in Florida and probably will be found to occur regu- 
larly in summer. I found it breeding in the Bahama Islands in June, 1879, 
in company with the Sooty Terns. The eggs are usually two, cream color 
or brownish white blotched with chocolate brown. 




K!;V TO Tli]': WATICR 1(1 KDS Ol-^ ]-T.() K I DA . 



199 




Geni s HYDROCHELIDON lion:. 

HYDROCHELIDON NIGRA SURINAMENSIS (Gmcl.^ 

Black Tern. 

Adult in siiiiniu-r: I'liper parts slaty i^ray : liead 
and under parts black (except under tail coverts) : hill 
and leet black. Adult in -a'intcr : head white, with 
a black patch streaked with white on the (icciput : 
upper parts gray. /ni/natn/r : upper parts mottled 
with Iniff or pale l)rown ; sides ashy. 

Length, y. 50 : Wing, 8.30 : Tail, 3.60 : Tarsus. .70: 
Bill, 1. 10. 

The Black Tern occurs on the Athintic 
coast from Florida to Prince Edwarcrs Is- 
land, and on the west coast from rVlaska 
to Chile. It breeds from the middle United States northward. The e-gs 
are oli\e brown blotched with pale brown and chocolate brown. 

Genus ANOUS Stephens. 

ANGUS 5T0LIDUS (/./////.). 
Noddy Tern. 

Adnit in summer : Bill black; forehead white, 
shading into gray on the occiput: lower eyelid 
white : front of the eye. and narrow superciliary line 
blackish : general plumage rich olive brown ; 
primaries dark brown, the first having the inner 
web pale brown ; legs and feet black. The imma- 
ture birds have the head grayish brown, \vhitish on 
the forehead. 

Length, 15: Wing, 10: Tail, 5.75: Tarsus. .So: 
Bill, 1.70. 
The Noddy Tern is a summer visitant to our Southern shores, and breeds 
in Florida on some of the Southern keys. It is abundant in the Bahama 
Islands and breeds there in June in great numbers. Only one egg is usually 
laid : but I have found two in a nest on several occasions. The nest, which 
is constructed of sticks and grass, is built ( on the Maraporvos Islands, 
Bahamas, ) upon the low cactus plants which cover the islands. Occasionally 
an e(r<»- was found in a depression of the rock without any nest. The eggs 
are buff white marked with reddish brown. 



200 



KEY TO THE WAT]:R BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

Family RHYNX^IiOPID.E. Skimmers. 
Genus RHYNCHOPS Linn. 




RHYNCHOPS NIGRA //////. 
Black Skimmer. 

Adult in su/zuHcr : Bill thin, knife-like, lower mandible the longer. l)asal half vermillion red, 
blackish at tip ; forehead, lores, and cheeks, and entire under part to crissum, and tips of second- 
aries white ; under lining of wing and axillars white ; rest of plumage ])lack : tail white, the 
shafts of the feathers brownish above. 

Adult in -u'intt-r: Similar but browner, and showing a wliite nuchal collar. 

Length. iS to 20 : Wing, 15 ; Tail. 5.50 : Tarsus, 1.25 : Bill (culmen), 2.70 : Gonys. 4.25. 

A common resident in Florida, it breeds on the Atlantic coast from Florida 
to Viro-inia. Tiie eggs, usually four, are brownish white blotched with 
chocolate brown ; they are deposited on the sand without any nest. 

Rano-e : " Warmer parts of America north on the Atlantic coast to New 
Jersey and casually to the Bay of Fundy." ( a.o.u.) 



Ki:v TO Tin-: watick iukds oi-- i-lokida. 



20I 



ORDER rUBINARP:S, 

Ti i'.i:-\()si':i) S\\ iMMicRs. 




oi a spec 



Family DIOMEDEID.E. Alp.atrossks. 

Gem s DIOMEDEA Eixx. 

DIOMEDEA EXULANS //////. 
Wandering Albatross. 

. h///// : (leneral color yellowish white : remiges dusky : hill 
white, pale yellowish at ti]). I niiiiatiirr birds are dark brown, 
showing whitish on the forehead and face. 

Length about 4 feet ; extent of wings (spread) about lo 
to 12 feet. 

^"'he onh' claim this species has to he in- 
cluded amouo" our bii"ds is the alleged captiu-e 
pa I^ay, Florida. It is an Antarctic species. 



Family PROCELLARIID.F:. Fulmars, Shearwaters, Petrel.s. 
Gexls PUFFINUS Brisson. 

PUFFINUS MAJOR Fahcr. 
Greater Shearwater. 



Adult : deneral plumage brown, grayish on 
the head : under parts and lining of wing white 
tail brown : crissum dark ; under tail coverts 
gray ; tarsus dark in front, the rest pale. 

Length. 19: \Vi ng, 12.50 : Tail. 5.75 : Hill. 2.40 
Tarsus. 2. 

Ranges from Cajit' llorn antl Ca])e 
of Good Hope to Greenland. I know 
of no positive record of the occurrence 
of this bird in Florida, but once saw 
a stuffed specimen in f acksonxille, 
which the dealer claimed was killed 
off the coast. 



1^ 





202 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 




PUFFINUS AUDUBONI Finsch. 
Audubon's Shearwater. 

Adult: Above glossy brown, shading into grayish on the 
sides of the breast; below white : crissum brown and white; 
tail brown, the feathers tipped with ashy : bill plumbeous. 

Length, II.5O: Wing. 8 ; ISill. 1.20: Tarsus, 1.55. 

Occurs on the Atlantic coast from Florida to New Jersey ; 

very common in the Bahama Islands, where it breeds : nest 

in holes in the rocks, where tlie bird lavs a single chalky 

white egg. 



Genus /ESTRELATA B 



30XAP. 




-^ 




-^ 



^ESTRELATA HA5ITATA (A7////). 
Black=capped Petrel. 

. Idiilt : Head white ; crown black ; upper parts except upper tail coverts dusky : under parts 
white : sides of the chest sometimes gray. Upper and under tail coverts white. 

Length. 16.50: Wing, 12; Bill, 1.35: Tarsus, 1.40. 

An Atlantic species rarely found near the coast. It has been taken in 
''Florida and on Long Island."' (/^n/ozLUiy, Man. X. A. Birds, p. 66.) 



ki-;y to Tin-: waticr iukds oi'- i'i.okida, 



203 



Genus OCEANITES Keys, and Px. as. 




OCEANITES OCEANICUS (Ku/il). 
Wilson's Petrel. Mother Gary's Chicken. 

Adult: General plumage dark brown; wing coverts edged witli pale brown : part of upper 
tail coverts white ; tail black : liill l)lack : legs and feet black; yellow spots on the webs between 
the toes. 

Length. 7: Wing. 5.60; Tail. 2.45 : Tarsus. 1.25: Uill. .60. 

Common off the Atlantic coast in simimer. It ranges throughout the 
'^ North and South Athmtic and Southern Oceans." (a.o.u.) 



Genus CYMODROMA RinGWAv 



CYMODROMA GRALLARIA {l'iei/7.). 

White=bellied Petrel. 

Upper parts dusky, under parts white. 

" Throat usually with only concealed white and without white on the hind neck.'" 

Length, 8; Wing. 6.25 : Tail, 3.10: Tarsus, r.50. 

" Intertropical seas, north casually to coast of Florida."' 

(/iV^/-:;YM', ^f(^l. X. A. n/rch, p. /_'.) 



204 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

ORDER STEGANOPODES. 

TOTIPALMATE SwniMERS. 

Family PIIAETHONTID.E. Tropic Birds. 
Genus PHAETHON Linn. 



..^^ 




PHAETHON FLAVIR0STRI5 Brandt. 
YelIow=billed Tropic Bird. 

Adult : l>ill pale orange yellow: general plumage white, sometimes slightly rose-tinted, most 
of the primaries showing much black ; a black streak passing through the eye ; some of the 
wing coverts and shafts of the tail feathers black : tail elongated into two very long feathers, 
which are slightly reddened ; tarsus bluish; iris black : webs and toes black. 

Length, including tail feather.s, 31.50: Wing, 11 ; Tail, 21 ; Tarsus, .90: Bill, 2. 
The Yellow-billed Tropic Bird is of rare occurrence on our shores, but is 
common in the I^ahama Islands, and has been recorded from Florida. 



KEY TO 'rill-. \vAii:i< i;iKi)s oi' ii.orida. 
Family SULID.E. c;axni:ts. 



205 



Genus SULA I>kissox, 



SULA CYANOPS SmiJc-'al. 
Blue=faceil Booby. 

Adidt: General plumage white; remiges and greater wing coverts dark hrown : middle 
rectices hoary white tipped with hrnwn: rest of tail feathers dark brown, wliile at the base : 
feet reddish : gular sac bluish. 

Length. 27: Wing. 16: Tail. 7.70: lUll. 3.90: Tarsus. 1.S5. 

This species is claimed to occur on the Florichi coast, althouoli it nuist 
he considered as accidentah It has heen found hreeding in tlie Bahama 
Ishmds. 



SULA SULA {Linn.). 
Common Booby. 




Adult : I lead and throat, upper part of breast, and entire upper plumage dark olive brown, 
under parts white: gular sac pale yellow; upper mandible greenish: feet pale yellowish 
green : iris yellow. 

Length. 27: Wing, I5.5O; Tail. S : Tarsus. [.60: 15111.4. 

Chaimedtoliavebeen taken in Florida, where it is probably accidental. 
It is not uncommon in the I^ahama Islands, where it breeds. 



2o6 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



5ULA PISCATOR (Z/////.). 
Red=footed Booby. 

Adult : General color white, showing a buff tinge on the head and neck. Shafts of the tail 
feathers pale yellow ; remiges and most of the wing coverts slate-gray, showing an ash tinge : 
feet reddish. Iininature : (general plumage grayish brown above ; dull gray beneath, some- 
times whitish ; plumage very variable. 

Length. 27 ; Wing, 14.50; Tail, 8; Tarsus, 2.10; Bill, 3.30. 

Range: "Coast and islands of tropical and sub-tropical seas north to 
Western Mexico and Florida." (a.o.u.) 

This species has very little claim to be included in our fauna. It may 
occasionally occur on the Florida coast in summer. 



SUBCENUS DYSPORUS IlLIGER. 



SULA BAS5ANA (Z/;///.). 
Gannet. 




Adult. 



Adult : \'ery large : head and neck white tinged with yellowish buff : general color white ; 
primaries dark 1)rown : bare space about the eyes, bluisli black, //////tatun- : C.eneral plumage 



k]-:y to Tni^ \v.v\'\-. 



lUKDS 0|- I'LORIDA. 



J07 



mottled, .ii,ra\ ish l)ro\vn and wliitc. showing" \vedt>,e-sliape white marks near the ends ol t!ie leatliers. 
Length. 36: Wing. 19.25: 'i^iil. 9.50 ; Tarsii.s. 2.20 : Hill, 4. 

The GaniK'l occasionalK' occurs in Florida in winter. It breeds from 
N()\a Scotia nortliwartl, usually on rock\- clitYs. Thv female la\s one 
chalk\-\vhile v<^<^. I found it breeding in great numbers on Bird Rock, 
Magdalene Islands in 1877. 



Family ANHINGID.E. D.vrters. 



Gems ANHINGA Brisson. 




(Male.) 

ANHINGA ANHINGA (//;///.). 
Anhinga. Water Turkey. Darter. Snake Bird. 

Adult malt : Breeding plumage, head and neck black, showing a greeni.sh glo.ss: back of 
the head and neck .showing lengthened hair-like feathers of dull white: back mottled and 
streaked witli white: upper mandible olive edged with yellow: lower mandilile yellow, shading" 



2o8 



KEY TO THE ^^'ATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



into green at the tip; gular sac yellow. In winter the male loses the white liair-like feathers on 
the neck: middle tail feathers showing transverse fluting. 

Adult female : Head, neck, and breast buff color, darker on the nape. 

Length, 33.50 : Wing, 13.50: Tail. 10.50: Tarsus. 1.35: Bill. 3.25. 

Ranges on the Atlantic coast from Florida to the Carolinas. It is 
resident and breeds in Florida, building its nest on some limb overhanging 
water. The eggs are usually two or three and chalk\- white, having a 
bluish tinire. 



Family PHALACROCORACID.F:. Cormorants. 



Genus PHALACROCORAX Brisson. 




PHALACROCORAX DILOPHUS FL0RIDANU5 {And.). 
Florida Cormorant. 

Adult ill suiiimei- : General plumage black : back and wing coverts slaty brown : tail consists 
of twelve feathers. 

Length. 36; Wing. 12: Tail. 5.75 : Hill. 2.20. 

Connnon on the Florida coast. It breeds in the State, the nest being 
built on bushes or trees. The eggs are dirty white with a bluish tinge. 



KEY TO ^riii': ^\'AT]•:K iurds oi- fi.okida. 
Family PELECANID.E. Pkluans. 

Genus PELECANUS Linx. 
Subgenus CYRTOPELICANUS Rkicii. 



log 





PELECANUS ERYTHRORHYNCHOS G^m-/. 
American White Pelican. 

Adult in breeding plumage : General plumage white : bill yellowish with horny protuberance 
on the top (this is lacking in winter) : primaries black : pouch is lemon yellow and the legs pale 
yellow ; iris straw color. 

Length, 60: Wing, 24.50; Tarsus. 4.45 : Bill, 12. 

The White Pelican is common in Central America and on tlie coast of 
California and Mexico: it occurs regularly in Florida, and is not uncommon 
in some localities, but its numbers are decreasing every year. It has been 
known to breed in the State : but does not do so regularly, as it is usually a 
winter visitant to Florida. 



2IO 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 




PELECANU5 FUSCU5 //////. 
Brown Pelican. 

Adult in breeding phunage : Neck chestnut brown; head and Hne at the base of the pouch 
yellowish white; upper parts ashy gray, some of the feathers edged with brownish. Bill 
brownish white marked with red in spots : pouch dark greenish black : bare space in front of 
the eye bluish ; tail consists of twenty-two feathers. The immature bird has the head and neck 
brownish gray. 

Length, 50 ; Wing, 20; Tarsus, 2.90; Bill, 11. 

This species is abundant in Florida, breeding in numbers in some locali- 
ties. The efo-s are three to five, of a bluish white color, covered with a 
chalk}- deposit. 

Habitat: ''Atlantic coast of tropical and sub-tropical America, north on 
the x\tlantic coast to North Carolina: accidental in Illinois." (a.o.u.) 



KEY TO Tin-: wa'1'j:k r>iiM)s oi- !■ i.okida. 

Family FREGATID.E. Man-o'-War Birds. 

Gexis FREGATA CrviER. 



211 




FREGATA AQUILA (//////.). 
Man=o'=War Bird. 

. Idiilt male : 1-^ntire plumage l^rownish black, showing a greenish reflection on the hearl, and 
purplish upon the back; tail forked and composed of twelve feathers : gular sac pale orange : 
iris brown. 

Adult female: Differs from the male by having a white patch on the breast, which extends 
along the sides of the neck and around it near the middle. 

Length, 43; Wing, 25; Tail. 19; Tarsus, r; Bill, 6. 

This species is common on the Florida coast. It is possible that it may 
nest on some of the keys ; but 1 know of no acltial record of its breedino- 
in the United States. It breeds commonly in the liahama Islands, where I 
have often found its nest. The female lays one white egg. 

Ranges along the tropical and sub-tropical coast of America, and an 
occasional straggler has been recorded as far north as Nova Scotia. 



212 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



ORDER ANSERES. 

Lamellirostral Swimmers. 

Famiia- ANATID.E. Ducks, Geese, and Swans. 
Subfamily MERGIN^^. Mergansers. 

Fish=eating ducks having narrow bills with tooth=like serrations on edges. 
Genus MERGANSER Brisson. 





Merganser americamis (male,). 



Merganser aniericanus (female). 



MERGANSER AMERICANUS (Cass.). 
American Merganser. 

jldiilt male : ISill red, lon.<;- and narrow, with tooth-like serration.s ; head and neck greenish 
black : under parts creamy white tinged with salmon color ; tail gray : feet red. 

Length, 26.50; \\'ing. ii : Tarsus. 2 ; liill, 2.10. 

Adult female : Upper throat white ; breast and head rufous brown: l)elly white : speculum 
white ; feet orange. 

Length, 24.50; Wing, 9.75: Tarsus, 1.90: Bill. 2. 

The distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill is less than 1.50 inches in this species, and 
the female may lie distinguished from the next species, vi^., Red-breasted Merganser, by this 



KEY TO Tiih: w.\'n:i< kirds of i-lokida. 



21 



character, as the Ked-brcastcd Meroanser has a distance from the nostril lo tlie tip of tlie hill of 
more than 1.50 inches. 

This species ranges throuohout North America and is not uncommon on 
the Athmtic coast from Maine to Georiria. Occasionally a specimen 
wanders as far south as Florida, althouoh it is not connnon in that State. 
I liave on one occasion killed a specimen near tlie head of Indian River. 
The nest is composed of a litde (,n-ass or leaves on a ledge or occasionally 
in a hole in a tree. 

The eggs are from seven to ten, of a pale yellow hutf color. 




T'-*;^«^\ 



> 



Merganser sevr.itor (male.) 

MERGANSER SERRATOR (//////). 
Red=breasted Merganser. 

i.///// jmr/c- ■ Head and throat black tin-ed with -reenisli: a white ring- around the neck 
not always well marked : breast rufous streaked with black ; lower breast and belly white : 
the sides' and rump delicately pencilled with black. Distance from nostril to tip ol bdl more 

than I.5O. 

Length, 23; Wing. 9; Tarsus, 1.90: Bill, 2.30. 

F,ma/c'a;idyon,ig;m7/c': Head brownish : throat pale buff : back gray : under parts of the 
body are white and speculum is white. 

Length. 21 : Wing, 8.80; Tarsus. 1.90; 15111,2.50. 

Inhabits the northern part of the Northern Hemispliere, ranging in winter 
southward throughout the United States to Cuba. It is a common bird on 



214 



KEY TO THE ^VATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



the Atlantic coast and is the common " Shelldrake " of Florida ; some winters 
the}^ are ahundant. This and the Hooded Merganser are the two species 
which are common in Florida in winter. 

The female of this species may be easily distinguished from the American 
Merganser b}' the difference in the measurement of the bill : the bird is also 
somewhat smaller. The distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill in 
this species measures more tlian 1.50 inches. 

It breeds from New Brunswick northward, the eggs being pale buff in 
color and usually from eight to twehe in number. 



Genus LOPHODYTES Reich. 

L0PH0DYTE5 CUCULLATUS (Z/>///.). 
Hooded Merganser. 

Adult male : Head with large black and 

white crest ; upper parts black ; under parts 
white having' the sides brownish dehcately 
barred witli black. 

Length. 19. 5O : Wing. 7.75: Tarsus. 1.30: 
Bill. 1.50. 

Adult female: Head and neck brownish, show- 
ing a slight crest, but not nearly as large as in. 
the male : under parts white. 

Length, I8.5O; Wing. 7.75 : Tarsus. 1.30: 
]>ill, 1.50. 
The young bird resembles the female, but has no crest. 
Length, 18. 5O; Wing, 7.70; Tarsus, 1.25 ; Bill, 1.50. 

This species is found in 
man^' parts of N o r t h 
America, having a wide 
distribution. It is com- 
mon in Florida in winter, 
(^'^'^■) and ranges along the Gulf 

coast to Mexico and Cuba, breeding throughout its 

range. The eggs are usuall}' deposited in a hollow 

tree near the water ; the}' are white, sometimes buffv 

white in color, and usually number from se\en to 

ten. It has a peculiar note, somewhat resembling 

that of the Scaup Duck, but sharper. 





f Female.) 



KI^.Y TO '|-m-; WATI'.K lilKDS Ol' I'l .() K I DA. 



215 



Sltu A.Mii.v AXATIX.E. Rivkr Ducks 



Ducks having hind toe without membranous lobe 
or flap. 

Genus ANAS Linn. 






"w^ 




(Kem.ile.) (Male.) 

ANAS BOSCHAS. /./>///. 
Mallard. 

.h///// Jiialc : 1 lead and neck dark green with a white ring on tlie neck : under i)ai 
or ashy wliite : breast is rich chestnut brown : under tail coverts ])lack : upper tail c 
also l)lack with centralfeathers elongated and curved upwards: speculum purple 
with black and white ; feet orange red. 

Adult female : Speculum purple bordered with black and white : head brownish 1 
buffy brown, usually mottled : feet are red. 
kength. 23 : Wing. 10.50 : Bill. 2.20. 

This specie.s inhabits the northern part of the Northern Ilemisjih 
breeds far northward and ranges in winter to the West Indies and 
America and is not imconnnon in Northern Florida. I have killed 



■ts whitish 
verts are 
bordered 

)uff : bellv 



ere. It 
Central 
a nnni- 



2l6 



KEY TO THE WATER HIRUS OF FLORIDA. 



ber of specimens near Cape Canaveral. The eggs are greenish white and 
usually from se^■en to ten in number. 

The Mallard is known to cross with various species, some sixty or se^■entv 
hybrids having been recorded : the most conuuon crosses being with the 
Pintail, Black Duck, and Widgeon. The female mav always be distin- 
guished from the Black Duck by the white border of the specidum. 

The male says, "Drake, drake, drake, drake," several times in a huskv 
voice and also " Shwipe," low and husky like a Black Duck. The female 
"quacks." Drakes rarely "quack": in most species of ducks it is usually 
the female. 



ANAS OBSCURA Gmel. 
Black Duck. Dusky Duck. 

Head and neck pale brown, finely dotted 
and streaked with dark brown : top of the 
head darker than the cheeks ; general plu- 
mage dark brown ; feathers edged with pale 
buff: speculum purple edged with black; 
bill yellowish green with dark nail, no black 
at the base ; feet orange red with dusky 
webs; the color of the feet varies. 

Length, 21; Wing, 10.75: Bill. 2.10: Tar- 
sus. 1.75. 

This species may always be easilv 
distinguished from the female of 
the jNIallard bv the absence of the 
white stripe on the speculum. It is 
pretty well distribtited o\'er North 
America and breeds from New 
England northward. 

The male savs : " Drake, drake, 
drake, drake,"' and also " Shwipe," 
in a husky \-oice : the female " quacks." 

It ranges in winter to Cuba and the Antilles and is common in Florida, 
where it may easily be distinguished from the local species by the streaked 
cheeks and throat. It is also darker in color than the Florida Black Duck. 
The eggs are nine to twehe and are pale greenish white. 




KEY TO 'rin<: \\"Ati:r iukds oi^ ]'Loriiv\. 



17 







ANAS FULVIGULA Kidg-n'ay. 
Florida Black Duck. Florida Dusky Duck. 

Adidt male : Upper mandible yellowish olive, nail and spot at base of mandible black : some- 
times mixed with dull orange: under mandible j'ellowish olive, dusky at tip: legs and toes pale 
orange with the webs red : iris brown. 

Aihilt female : Legs and toes dull Indian red ; webs mottled brownish and Hesh color : upper 
mandible yellowish olive showing a brownish stripe on the middle and the nail and a spot at the 
base black : under mandible pale orange yellow. 

General appearance of the Northern I51ack Duck and lighter in color and having the throat 
and cheeks almost without streaks and very pale buff in color. 

Length, 20; Wing. 10.20: Bill, 2 : Tarsus, 1.70. 

This is a resident species in Florida, where it is hecoming rather rare in 
many localities where it w^as once common. It nests in the marshes, the 
eo-o-s being pale greenish in color. I have found two nests of this species on 
the Banana River. Eggs are usually from eight to ten in number, but I have 
heard of fourteen eg<'"s being taken in a nest. The note resembles that of 
die IMack Duck. 



2l8 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Sui«;knus CHAULELASMUS Bonaparte. 







(Male.) 



ANAS STREPERA Li7in. 
Gadwall. 

Adult male: Head brownish finely streaked with Ijlack and dark brown: sides of the 
head pale brown mottled with black ; neck and breast mottled (black and white), the feathers 
being black having a central white mark; under parts white (sometimes grayish white). Under 
tail coverts are black and upper tail coverts and rump are black ; speculum gray and white ; 
the lesser wing coverts chestnut ; bill black ; feet orange. 

Length, 19.50; Wing, lo; Bill, 1.60. 

Adult female : Somewhat resembles the male but has the under wing coverts pure white 
and usually little or no chestnut on the lesser wing coverts. 

Length, 19; Wing, 10; Bill, 1.55. 

Range : North America, breedin<x iisually in the interior in the northern 
part. It is common in Florida in winter where it is known as Creek Dnck. 
The eggs are usually from nine to twelve and huffy white in color. The 
note of the male somewhat resembles the call of a deer or perhaps the 
squeak of a door ; the female " quacks " softly. 



key to the water birds of florida. 
Subgenus MARECA Stf.phens. 



219 




^.Male.J 



ANAS AMERICANA Gmel. 
Baldpate. American Widgeon. 

Adult male ■ Head speckled l)Iack and white; top of the head white; a broad stripe of 
greenish back of tiie eye to the occiput; chin blackish ; upper breast pale ashy lilac or vinaceous ; 
rest of under parts pure white; crissum and under tail coverts black; back ashy vuiaceous finely 
pencilled with black ; a broad patch of white on the wing; most of the secondaries have the 
outer web black edged with white ; tlie inner webs are grayish towards the tip ; speculum black 

and green. • , , , 1 1 1 • 1 

Adult female: Head and throat whitisii, streaked and mottled with black; back grayisli 

brown ; tertials dusky edged with whitish. 

Length, I9; Wing, 10.50; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 1.40. 

This species ranges nearly throughout North America hut does not hreed 
on the Ath^ntic coast as far as known. It is very common in winter in 
Florida occurring along the Gulf to Central America and Northern South 



220 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



America and the We.st Indies. The eggs are pale brownish white from 
eii^lit to twelve in number. The note of the male is three soft whistles " Do 
mi do" of the scale ; the female " quacks." 

The European Widgeon {Anas poiclopc), wliich occasionally wanders to 
our shores, has the head cinnamon, speckled with brown while the American 
form has the head grayish speckled with dusky. 

Subgenus NETTION Kaup. 



i?' 





(Male.) (Female.) 

ANAS CAROLINENSIS GmeL 
Qreen=winged Teal. 

Head and neck chestnut brown ; a patch of green behind the eye extending to the nape. 
Feathers are somewhat elongated forming a small crest ; sides and back pale, marked with 
narrow fine lines of black; under parts white, shading into pale brown or buff on the breast, 
which is also spotted with black ; speculum green bordered with black and chestnut. 

Adult fetnale : Has top of the head brownish margined with reddish brown; throat and 
side of the neck white spotted with black ; breast brownish with black spots ; rest of under parts 
white, sometimes showing black spots on the under tail coverts. 

Length, 14.50; Wing, 7.20; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 1.40. 

This species ranges throughout North America breeding north of the 
United States. Ranges south in winter to the West Indies, the Gulf of 
Mexico and Central America ; common in Florida in winter. Tlie eggs are 
pale brownish white and usually number from seven to twelve. 

The male whistles sharp and low, and the female " quacks." 



KEY TO -nil-; w.\-|-|.:k iwrds ok i-lorida. 



221 




(Male.) 




f/hl. / 

te,. 



(Female.) 



Subgenus QUERQUEDULA Si eihen.s. 

ANAS DI5C0R5 ////// 

Bluc=winj>;ed Teal. 

.\<fult ina/r: Head o-ray with purplisli -lo.ss, darkt-st on 
top: a white patch resembling a crescent in front of the 
eye; wini,^ covert.s and sonic of the scainilars pale yrayi.sh 
l)lue forming a grayish blue patch on the wing ; .speculum 
rich green : under parts purplish gray spotted on tlie lireast 
with black : the flanks are narrowly barred with l)Iack 'IMie 
bill is black, the feet yellow. 

Aciiilt female: Showing a blue patch on wing, which 
istmguislies it from other Teals, except the female of Anas 
cyanoptera, but the color of the head will always distinguish 
it from that species. 

Length, 16 ; Wing, 7.25 : Tarsus, 1.25 : IJill. ,.60. 



Rano-e.s throuoiiout Eastern North Anu-rici 
breeding chiefly nortii of the United State.s. 
In winter it is common in Florida and its 
range extends to the West Indies and North- 
ern South America. The eggs are pale buff 
usually from eight to tweh'e in number. The 
male whistles and the female "quacks." 



ANAS CYANOPTERA Vicill. 
Cinnamon Teal. 





\, ill It male: Head, neck, and upper parts chest= 

nut brown, the crown somewhat darker than the .sides 
oi the head ; under parts brownish showing dusky on 
the belly ; rump olive brown, feathers becoming lighter 
on tlie edges; wing coverts blue gray, similar to the 
lilue-winged Teal ; speculum green ; the general colora- 
tion of the wing being similar to the ]31ue-winged Teal. 
i)ut the coloration of the body is so different tliat it 
should never be confounded with that species. 

Adult feuialc : Resembles the female of the Hlue- 
winged Teal although larger: the under parts show 



(Male.) 



222 



KEY TO THE ^^'ATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



a trace of the chestnut marking of the male and the upper tlu'cat and chin are more speckled, 
otherwise apparently quite similar to Anas discors. 
Length. i6: Wing, 7.50; Bill, 1.75 : Tarsus, 1.30. 

This is a species which is usually coniined to Western North America, 
only occasionally reaching the Atlantic Coast in the Southeastern States. It 
has been recorded from Florida, but I have never seen an example from 
that State, although it is given as quite common by several authors. It ex- 
tends to Southern South America in its range : does not breed on the east 



coast. 



Genus SPATULA Boie. 




> 



(Male.; 

SPATULA CLYPEATA {Liiiii.). 
Shoveller. 

Adult male : Bill very much broadened; head and neck dark green : lireast pure white 
shading into purplish chestnut on the belly : wing coverts lilue : speculum green edged with 
white ; feet orange red. 

Length. 20 ; Wing, 9.50: Bill, 2.70: Tarsus, 1.50. 



KKV TO THE \VATi:i< lURDS OK FLORIDA. 223 

Adult female: Head and neck mottled and streaked witli pale brown and dark brown or 
black; under parts brownish, mottled and spotted with fuscous, scarcely showin- on the middle 
of the belly ; speculum and wing coverts as in the male. 

Length. 19.50: Wing, 9.50; Bill 2.60; Tarsus, 1.50. 

The^immature male is often intermediate in plumage between the adult male and Kmale. but 
the speculum shows but little green and the wing coverts are slaty gray. The head is often very 
much mottled when changing to adult plumage. 










(Female.) 



This species ranges throughout the Northern Hemisphere, commonly in 
the interior. It breeds from Minnesota northward as a rule : there is no 
record of its breeding in the Atlantic States. 

Ranges in winter to South America, being one of the common species in 
Florida during the winter months. The eggs are pale buff white, usually 
from six to ten in number. The note of the male is a gutteral short - Thuck 
thuck" ; the female "quacks." 

Genus DAFILA Stei^hens. 

DAFILA ACUTA (Z/////.). 
Pintail. Sprigtail. 

4duU male Bill black having the edges lead color ; head and neck dark rufous brown 

sometimes showing a faint gloss of green on the leathers: sides of tlie neck showing a stripe ot 
white and a stripe of black extending down the back of the neck : under parts white showing- 
faint wavy fine lines of dusky on the sides: crissum black edged with white: central tail 
feathers very much elongated in the male : feet lead color. 

Length, 28 : Wing. 9.50 : Tail, 7 : Bill, 2. 



224 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Adult female : Tail feathers not so much elongated as in the male; crown and sides of 
the head streaked with dusky and pale brown ; breast spotted with dark brown or black ; under 
parts white ; abdomen and sides showing faint lines of dusky ; under wing coverts fuscous edged 
with white axillars marked with l)lack; speculum grayish brown edged with white. The imma- 
ture male shows considerable variation in plumage, the under parts being usually more streaked 
or spotted than the adult female, which it otherwise somewhat resembles. 

Length, 22 : Wing, 9.25 : Tail, 3.50 : l>ill, 2. 





MK0 



Dafila acuta (male). 



(Female.) 



Ranges throughout the Northern Hemisphere breeding from IlHnois 
northward : apparently does not breed on the Atlantic Coast, but is common 
in winter from Virginia and the Carolinas southward to the West Indies and 
Central America. It is one of the common ducks in Florida. 

Eggs are usually from seven to twelve and are bluish white in color. 
The female Pintail may always be recognized by the pointed middle tail 
feathers and the blackish under wing coverts. 

The male whistles and the female " quacks." 



KEY TO rill-: wati:r iukds ok klokida. 



Genus AIX 1>(me. 





(Female.) 



(Male.) 



AIX 5P0NSA {Linn.). 
Wood Duck. 

Adult male : Bill red marked with ro.se-\vhite and a black stripe on the middle of tiie upper 
mandible and tip ; under mandible black ; head with decided crest, which shows white, metallic 
green, and purple; a narrow superciliary line from the bill to the occiput and another stripe of 
white behind the eye extending to the nape ; chin and throat white, extending upwards in a 
streak on sides of head, back of eye; a stripe passing upwards on the side of the head; sides 
and front of the lower neck and under breast purplish chestnut dotted with white spots ; under 
parts white, sides sometimes grayish showing faint pencilling of dusky lines; upper parts 
showing bronze green and purple ; speculum bluish green edged with black and white. 

Length, 18.50: Wing, 9.50; Bill, 1.40. 

Adult female : Crest small but tiie feathers somewhat lengthened ; head and neck grayish, 
whitening on the chin and front of the eyes ; front of the neck and breast pale brown mottled 
with grayish ; the breast showing numerous brown spots which fade away on the lower breast ; 
belly white. 

Length, 18; Wing, 9.30; Bill, 1.35. 

This species ranges from the Gulf northward to Hudson's J>ay, breeding 
nearly throughout its range ; it is common in the interior of P'lorida and has 
been taken in Cuba and Jamaica. The eggs are pale brownish white and 
usually number from seveu to fourteen. It nests in a hole in a tree. 



2 26 key to the water birds of florida. 

Subfamily FULIGULIN^. Bay and Sea Ducks 



Ducks having flap or membranous lobe on hind toe. 




Genus AYTHYA Boie. 






-r^ 



AYTHYA AMERICANA {Ext.). 
Red=head Duck. 

Adult male : Head and neck brownish chestnut ; lower neck and upper breast black- 
isli ; back apparently grayish being pencilled with wavy lines of black : speculum grayish ; 
upper feathers edged with black, the rest narrowly tipped with white. 

Length, 21 ; Wing, 8.40; Tarsus, 1.60 ; Bill, 2.20. 

Adult female : Bill bluish showing an indistinct bar near the end ; head and neck reddish 
brown, palest on the sides of the head, becoming ashy on the sides of the head : upper throat 
white ; breast and sides brownish ; belly white ; under tail coverts and lower belly sometimes 
washed with pale brownish. 

Length, 20.50; Wing, 8.30; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 2.20. 

This is rather a Western species, as it hreeds very rarely on the Athmtic 
coast of the United States. It is common in the West breeding from 



KF.Y TO Tin-: W'A'I'i:!^ I'.IRDS OI'' I'LOKIDA. 



227 



Minncsola norlhward. It ranges in winter south to the Northern West 
Indies and occasionally occurs in Florichi, aUhou<;h not in any ,i;reat numbers. 
It is a very abundant species from Carolina to Virginia durin_<,^ the winter, 
in suitable localities. The Red-head may easily be distini^niished from the 
Canvas-back by the shape of the bill. The forehead arches abrujnly from 
the bill and does not follow^ the line of the bill, as in the Canvas-back. 

The female Red-head closely resembles the female of the Rin<;-necked 
Duck but is laro;er. It does not breed on the AUandc coast.* 





AYTHYA VALLI5NERIA {JFi/s.). 
Canvas=back Duck. 

A (///// male : Head and neck rufous Ijrown 
l)ecoming dusky on the crown and chin; the 
l:)reast and upper portion of tlie back blackish ; 
rest of upper parts and wing coverts showing 
^M fine wavy lines of black, general appearance 
4| lieing grayish; belly white, the lower portion 
faintly lined with dusky. Sides white, showing 
the delicate lines as on the back, but very much 
fainter and sometimes wanting. 

Adult female : Head and neck cinnamon 
brown, paler on tlie throat: belly white or gray- 
isli white. 

Length, 20 to 22 ; Wing. 8. 75 to 9.25 ; Bill, .75 
to .So: Tarsus, 1.70. 

The peculiar formation of the bill 
will always distinguish this species 
from the Red-head, which it some- 
wdiat resembles. 

Occurs throughout North America and is more common in the West. 
Breeds from the Northwestern States northward to Alaska. It ranges in 
winter south to Cuba and Jamaica, although it is only a straggler and is by 
no means common in Florida. I have occasionally killed specimens as far 
south as Cape Canaveral. 

This species is common off the coast of Virginia and Chesapeake Bay 
durino- the winter months. It does not breed on the Atlantic coast. 




* A single instance is on record of a pair Ijeing found breeding near Calais, Maine. 



228 



key to the water birds of florida. 
Subgenus FULVIGULA Stephens. 




(Male.) 



(Female.) 

AYTHYA MARILA NEARCTICA Shy/i. 
American Scaup Duck. 

Adult male: Head and neck and upper breast black .showing greenish refiections ; back 
grayish white dehcately lined with fine wavy lines of black, giving it a grayish appearance ; 
speculum white; under parts white, the lower belly showing grayish tinge. 

Length, 19; Wing, 8.50 ; Tarsus, 1.50; Bill, 2. 

Adult female : Patch at the base of the bill white or grayish white, rest of the head and 
neck, breast and upper back browni.sh : belly white : speculum white. 

Length. 17.75: Wing, 8. 25 : Tarsus. 1.30: 15111. 1.60. 

Species ranges throughout North America, breeding north of the United 
States. It ranges in winter south to the Bahama Islands, and on the Atlan- 
tic coast south to Florida, although it is not nearly as abundant in Southern 
waters as A. 111. a /fin is, to which it is verv closely allied. There are, ap- 



KKY TO TIIIC WATICU lUKDS OF I'-LOKIDA. 229 

parently. no constant characters (with the possible exception oi size) by 
which it niav be separated from tliat species: the head, as a rule, shows 
greenish reflections, while the Lesser Scaup Duck generally has the head 
glossed with purphsh, but these characters cannot be always depended upon 
and the main difference is one of size. 

The e<»-<'-s are described as being pale olive buff and number from six to 
ten. It nests on the ground, as is common with the Sea Ducks. 

The only duck that this common bird is likely to be confounded with is 
the Ring-neck, and it can always be distinguished at a glance from that 
species by the white band on the wing (speculum), which is always gray m 
the Rin<r-neck. 



AYTHYA AFFINIS {Eyt>,. 
Lesser Scaup Duck. 

Male: Resembles the male of the precedint;- species but is somewhat smaller in size ; the 
head generally shows a faint gloss of purplish, while the (ireater Scaup Duck shows a greenish 
tinge on the head. 

Length, 17; Wing, S. 10; Tarsus, 1.50; Bill, i.So. 

The female resembles the female of the preceding species but varies in being smaller ; the 
speculum of both the male and female is white, and this duck may always be distinguished 
from the Ring-neck by this character. 

Length, 16.50: Wing, 7.70; Tarsus. 1.25: Bill, 1.50. 

This bird ranges throughout North America, breeding north of the United 
States, and occurs in winter south to Guatemala and West Indies. It is the 
most common species in Florida, being one of the first to arri\'e and among 
the last to leave the State. I have seen small flocks of them in the rivers as 
late as the first of Mav. The note of this and the Greater Scaup Duck is a 
peculiar sound, difficult to describe but rather easy to imitate. It somewdiat 
resembles the sound made by rubbing the finger quickly and lighdy o\'er a 
roll-top desk. 



AYTHYA COLLARIS {Doiwv.). 
Ring=necked Duck. 

Adult male : Head and neck, upper breast and upper back black, showing faint bluish 
reflections when held in the light. In the l^reeding season the male has an orange chestnut 
collar which is usually lacking later in the season : belly white with the lower belly finely lined 



230 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



with black; back and scapulars dusky; speculum gray ; bill dusky, showing a faint l)luish gray 
band near the end. 

Adult female : Head brownish, the sides mixed with grayish brown, widening on tlie cheeks 
and base of the bill; belly whitish, becoming grayish on the lower portion; bill as in the male. 

Length, 17; Wing, S; Bill, 2. 





Aythya collaris (female). 



Aythya collaris (male). 



Species ranges throtighoiit North America breeding north of the United 
States. It ranges south in winter to GuatemaLa and the West Indies. It is 
common in Florida, generally preferring fresh or brackish water to the ocean. 

The female of this species resembles the female Red-head, but is easily 
distinguished from that species by its smaller size. This species may be 
distinguished in any plumage from the Scaup Ducks by its gray speculum. 
The note somewhat resembles that of the Scaup Duck. In winter the collar 
of the male is usually absent or but slightly indicated. This species does 
not breed on the Atlantic coast. 



Ki'^' ']■() 'iiii': \\A'ri:i< iurds ok i'lorida. 



2 u 



Genus GLAUCIONETTA Siejn. 

QLAUCIONETTA CLANQULA AMERICANA ^Bonap.). 
American Golden Eye. Whistler. 




Cuba. 
or less 
placed 
in nuni 



Adult male : Head and neck ,<;Iossy green ; a patcli of 
white in front of tiie eye: hack bhick : under parts wliite ; 
speculum white; lining of the wings dusky. 

Lengtii, 19.50; Wing, 9.10; Tarsus, 1.60; IJiii. 1.90. 
""^s^ -Idult female : Head brown showing no white in front 
of the eye ; upper parts dark brown inclining to dusky I)ut 
not black ; under parts white, sometmies washed with gray 
on the sides and lower neck. 

Length, 16.50: Wing, S.25 ; Tarsus, 1.40; IJill, r.6o. 

This species ranges generally throughout 

North America, breeding from Maine to the 

l^ritish Provinces northward. It winters from 

New England southward and stragglers have 

(^lai'-'-) been secured as far south as I3arbadoes and 

It is not a common bird in Florida, although the species occur more 

regular^ on the Indian River during the winter months. Its nest is 

in a tree or hollow stump. The eggs are usually from eight to ten 

ber and dull bluish white. 




Genus CHARITONETTA Stejn. 

CHARITONETTA ALBEOLA (//////.). 
Buffle=head. Butter=ball. Spirit Duck. 



. Idiilt male : A very small duck ; head, upper neck, and 
throat greenish purple showing various reflections of blu- 
ish and greenish ; a white patch on the head from the eye 
backwards; ])ack l)lack; under parts white ; l)ill lead color; 
feet flesh color. 

Length, 12.75: Wing, 6 ; Tarsus, 1.20: I'.iil, 1. 

Adult female : Head and upper parts I)rownish, sliowing 
a grayish white patch on the side of the head, back, and 
above the eye : under parts white, speculum white. 

Length, 12.50: Wing, 5.75 ; Tarsus, 1.20; 15ill,i.. 

It ranges throughout North America, south in 
winter to Cuba and Mexico, breedino- northward 



(Female.) 



232 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



from Maine to Alaska. The nest is described as being built in a stump or 
tree. The eggs are a pale buff usually from eight to twelve in number. 




Chaiitonetta albeola (male). 



Genus CLANGULA Leach. 



CLANGULA HYEMALIS (//;/;/.). 
Old Squaw. Old Wife. South Southerly. 

Adult male in ivinter: Central tail feathers black, much elongated; outer tail feathers 
white; top of the head and back of the neck to back white; a patch of i>,rayish on the sides of 
the head including the eye, which is succeeded by a patch of black on the sides of the neck, 

bordered on the lower throat by an indication of brown ; 
throat and upper breast pure white : breast and upper 
belly black, the black continuing over the back in a 
band : lower l)elly and under tail coverts white; wing 
coverts black ; quills brown ; a pale yellowish band 
across the end of the bill. 

Male ill suiiuiicr: Front of the head white: rest 
of head, neck, breast, and upper belly smoky black. 

Adult female ill winter: Head dull white on the 
crown and a patch on the side of the back of the head 
smoky black or brownish black ; upper parts fuscous ; 
breast grayish ; belly white; tail feathers pointed but 
not elongated as in the male. 

Length (including tail), 21 ; Wing, S.05 : Hill. i. 

(Male, winter plumage.) 




KEY TO TIIIC N\'A'I'I;K I'.IKDS Ol" FLORIDA. 



233 



It raiiLii's throughout the Northcru 1 K'niisphcre ; iu North ^Vnicrica south 
lo the Potomac and the Ohio: it breeds far nortliward. (A.o.u.) 

The e<rirs are described as lieiii^ pale bhiish and usually from six to 
twelve in number. 

This is one of our most common ducks on the New ICnoland coast in fall 
and winter. It rant^es south as far as Florida, but is not connnon, although 
I have occasionally taken specimens on the Banana River. In the winter 
of 1894-^ there were a number of these birds at Lake Worth. 

Genus OIDEMIA Fi.eminc;. 
Sui-GENus OIDEMIA. 



OIDEHIA AMERICANA .S?,. ^ Rich. 
American Scoter. Black Coot. 





fFemale. 



(Male.) 

Aihilt male: General plumage entirely black; l)ill lilack. the upper nian(lil)le beint;- 
yellowish orange at the base. Feathers on the bill more than one half an inch from the 
nostril ; no white on the wing. 

Adult female : I)ro\vni.sh or sooty brown : paler on the under i)arts. becoming grayish white 
on the belly; sides of the head whitish. The female is smaller than the male. 
Length, 19: Wing, y. 10: Tarsus, 1.65: Bill. i.So. 

Species breeds from Labrador norlhw ard : the ei]jgs being described as 

pale brown or didl whitish brown and from six to ten in muiiber. It ranges 



234 



KEY TO THE AVATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



in winter south to Florida and California. I have killed specimens on the 
Indian River and saw it at Lake Worth, although it cannot be considered as 
a common bird in Florida every year, probably occurring there in numbers 
onlv when the northern winters are unusually severe. 



Sur.GENus MELANITTA Boie. 




(Male.) 



(Female.) 



OIDEniA DEQLANDI Boiiap. 

White=winged Scoter. White=winged Coot. 

Adult iiiah': (leneral plumage black ; upper mandible oran,i>e. blacki.sh at the base : a white 
spot under the eye and a broad patch of white on the wing ; feathers on the bill less than 
one half inch from the nostril. 

. Idult fciiiah' : Is tirayish brown, showing; a wash of grayish white at the base of the bill and 

behind the ears: tlie speculum is white, which is a distinguishing character of this species. 

Length, 21 : Wing. 11.15: Tarsus. 2: Bill (culmen), 1.75; side measure. 2.75. 

It breeds from Labrador northward, ranging in winter South to Florida 

and California. I found it on the Banana River and Lake Worth during 

the winter of 1894-5. 

The eo-gs are described as being buff or cream color, six to ten in num- 
ber, the nest being placed on the ground. 



ki:y to 'I'lii-: ^VATI•:I< t.ikds oi- i'lorida. 






SuHc.KNus PELIONETTA Kaui> 





(Male.) 



(Female.) 



OIDEMIA PER5PICILLATA (Z/;///.). 

Surf Scoter. Sea Coot. 

Adult male : General plumage black, no white on the wing ; head l)lack witli a white 
patch on the forehead and nape . feathers on the bill less than one half inch from the 

nostril. A pecuHar highly colored l)ill i.s one of the distingui.shing marks of tiie male of this 
species, it being orange, yellow, lilack, and white, the feathers on the top of the l)ill e.xtending 
much farther forward than on the sides. 

The female and immature brownish, showing a wliitish spot at tiie l)ase of the Ijill and liack 
of the eyes: the female having the upper parts JM-ownish : under parts ashy gray shading into 
whitish on the belly. 

Length, 20.50: Wing. 9.60: Tarsus, 1.65; Bill (culmen). 1.50: side measure. 2.35. 

This species may always be distinguished from O. aiucricaua by the 
forward extension of the feathers on the top of the bill and from O. dci^laiidi 
by the absence of the white wing patch. It ranges along the coast of 
Northern North America and southward in winter to Florida and has been 
recorded from Jamaica. In the winter of 1S94-5 it was common about Lake 
Worth but is usually not munerous in Florida. 

The eo"gs are described as being buffy or dull white and li\e to eight 
in number. 



236 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

Genus ERISMATURA Bonap. 




ERI5MATURA RUBIDA ( Tf 7/ .). 
Ruddy Duck. 

I (hilt male : A patch of white on the cheeks and cliin : rest of head and general plumage 

chestnut brown ; the under parts silver white; tail feathers pointed and stiff. Male in winter 
has the back of the head and neck smoky brown: cheeks white: the bill bluish and the feet 

lead color. 

Adult female : The general color of the upper parts is brownish gray ; sides of the head and 
throat whitish, shading into gray on the lower throat and upper breast ; under parts silver white, 
as in the male. 

Length. 15.30: Wing. 6: Tarsus, 1.20: l!ill, 1.50. 

It may easily be distinguished from other species by its small size, 
chestnut brown color, and stiff pointed tail feathers. 

It ranges throughout North America, breeding locally nearly throughout 
its range. It ranges in winter south to Cuba and Guatemala and Northern 
South x\merica : it has been recorded from many of the West India Islands. 

The e«-<'-s are described as six to ten in number, of dull white or buffy 
white, and the nest is usually built on a marsh but is sometimes deposited on 
floating vegetable matter. 



ki:y to 'nil-: \\aii;i< iukds of Florida. 

SiJUAMiLv AXSERIN.E. Gffsk. 

Gents CHEN l>()ii:. 

CHEN HYPERBOREA NIVAEIS ^J'brst.). 
Greater Snow Goose. 



^37 




(General plumat^e white : ijrimaries black and 
primary coverts paie ash. The immature bird 
lias the head. neck, and upper parts mottled L;rav 
and white : the rump and tail are white : under 
parts white. 

i.ent;tli, 34 ; Wing", 17.40; Hill, 2.50: Tai'sus, 



Thi.s species rano^es throughout North x\merica. Its 
breedino- phice is unknovvu, but is probably in the iar 
North. It ranges in winter south to the Greater An- 
tilles. It is not a common bird in Florida, but speci- 
mens occasionally occur there. It has been taken in 
Ke\' West and a munber of times on the west coast. 



CHEN C^ERULESCENS (//////.). 
Blue Goose. 





Head and neck white or huff: dusky gray on 
the neck and back, shading into whitish on the 
under parts; wings ashy gray, the rump and 
upper tail coverts grayish white or white ; some 
of the quills and tail feathers dusky, showing 
white on the edges; primaries are black. 

The immature bird of this species has the 
head and neck grayish brown, shading into dull 
white on the chin. 

Length, 30; Wing, 16; IJill. 2.20; Tarsus. 3.10. 



The liabits of this species are but little known, and for a long time it 
was supposed to be the voung of the Snow Goose. 



238 



KEY TO THE WATER IJIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



It is now recognized as a species, although comparatively nothing is 
known of its habits or range. It has been taken in Cuba and I have been 
told that a specimen was killed on the west coast, but I could not learn the 
exact localitv. I know of no positive record of its occurrence in Florida, but 
it is probablv an accidental winter visitant. 

Genus ANSER Brisson. 




ANSER ALBIFRONS QAMBELI {Hart/.). 
American While=fronted Goose. 

. Idiilt : Forehead and l:)a.se of bill white : bill pinkish or reddish or pale white : feet yellow : 
the rest of the head brownish : neck grayish brown, shading into dull white in front; under 
parts whitish, the breast showing black markings; back ashy gray; the feathers anterially 
edged with brown on the upper part: shafts of quills white. 

The immature bird is similar, but shows no white on the base of the l)ill or black markings 
on the breast. 

Length, 28; Wing, 16: Hill, z: Tarsus, 2.90. 

This species occiu's throughout North America, breeding far North 
and ranging in winter south to Mexico and Cuba. It is rather rare on the 
AUantic coast, but I have been told that specimens have been taken in North- 
western Florida, although I have never seen a bird of this species in Florida 
nnself. Eggs are ti\-e to seven, of pale greenish color, soiuetimes brownish. 



KEY TO 'I-IIK WA'IICR IMKPS OV I'LC )R I DA , 



-39 



Genus BRANTA Scoi'oij. 




BRANTA CANADENSIS (//;///.). 
Canada Goose. 

AMf ■ Head and neck black: a patch of white on the side of the head behind the eye ex- 
tending to the chin; back and wings grayish brown: breast and under parts dull grayish white, 
becoming white on the belly; tail black. 

The immature bird is similar, but has the throat and cheeks sometimes mottled. 

Length. 40: Wing. 19; liill. 2.50; Tarsus. 3.20. 

The Canada Goose ran^^es throughout temperate North America, breed- 
in<r in Northern United States and the 15ritish Provinces. It ranges in 
winter south to Mexico and Jamaica. It occasionally occurs in Florida 
in winter, as specimens have been killed on the Indian River and also m 
Northwestern Florida. 

The nest, which is composed of sticks and grass lined with feathers, is 
built in the marshes and on borders of streams ; it is claimed that sometimes 
the nest is placed in a tree. At one time it bred commonly on the Magda- 
lene Islands. The eggs are four or rive, usiudly brownish white. 



240 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



BRANTA BERNICLA (Z/;///.). 
Brant. 




Whole of head. neck, and upper breast black, e.x- 
cept a patch on the sides of the neck, which is 
white and black ; back grayish brown ; longer tail 
coverts white: lower breast grayish, shading into 
white on the belly. 

Length. 25; Wing. 13: Tarsus, 2.25 : Bill. 1.30. 

Ran«fes from Arctic Circle, where it 
breeds, southward to Georgia and occa- 
sionally to Florida, several having been 
killed on the Florida coast. 

The eggs are described as cream}- 
white in color, four in number. The 
nest is composed of grass and moss. 



Subfamily CYGNIN.F:. Swans. 

Genus OLOR Wagler. 

OLOR C0LUMBIANU5 (C/v/). 

Whistling Swan. 

.^^ General plumage white : bill and feet black ; a 

small yellow spot at the base of the bill in front 
of the eye which is not always present ; the distance 
from the front angle of the eye to the back edge of 
the nostril is more than the distance from the back 
edge of the nostril to the end of the bill ; this is one 
of the characters by which it may be distinguished 
from the Trumpeter Swan. 

The immature birds are usually ashy gray in 
color with a brownish wash on the head and upper 
neck : feet pale yellowish, sometimes pale flesh color. 

Length, 53; Wing, 21.50: Bill, 4: Tarsus, 4.20. 

This species ranges throughout most of North America, breeding in the 
far North. It is common in winter on the Atlantic coast about the Carolinas 



#^^ 



i<.i-:y to 



III-. \\\ri:K r.iRDS of it.okida. 



241 



and \'irL;iiiia, and occayionalh wanders as far soulli as Florida. I know of 
one or Iwo instances where it has been seen, and a specimen was killed and 
brought into Jacksonville in the winter of 1894-5. 



ordp:r odontogloss.e. 

LaMELLIROSTKAL GkAI>1>A'1X)RES. 

Family PIKENICOPTERID.E. Flamingoes. 
Genus PHCENICOPTERUS Linn. 




PHCENICOPTERUS RUBER //////. 
American Flamingo. 

Adult mall': Kntire plumage scarltt : most of the 
primaries black: legs lake red : terminal half of the 
bill black ; basal half of lower mandible orange. The 
female and immature males are lighter colored and 
paler. 

Length. 52; Wing. 17: Tail. 6.50; Tarsus. 12.50: Hill. 

This species occurs on the coast of trop- 
ical and sub-tropical x\merica. It is a resi- 
dent in Florida, although seldom seen 
there. At one time it was abundant but is 
now only to be found in one or two local- 
ities. East of Cape Sable there was quite 
a colony of them, but the place is very dith- 
cult of access and they are very shy. This 
species is still abundant in the Bahama 
Islands, where I found it breedinj^;. It lays 
two chalky-white eggs. The nest, which 
is constructed of mud, is shaped like a 
sugar-loaf slightly hollowed on the top, and 
usually from about 14 inches to 20 inches 
in heiirht. 



24: 



ki<:y to the water birds of Florida. 

ORDER hp:rodiones. 

Herons, Storks, Iuises, Etc. 

Suborder I bides. 

Spoonbills and Ibises. 

Family PLATALEID.E. Spooniulls. 

Gen IS AJAJA Rekii. 




AJAJA AJAJA (Z ///;/.). 
Roseate Spoonbill. 

Back and win^s a delicate rose white ; under parts showing rose color ; hare skin of the head 
o-reenish and yellow; bill widened at the tip, somewhat spoon-shaped but tiat, tinted with green- 
ish and yellowish ; legs dull red. Very old birds have the lesser wing coverts and upper tail 
coverts brilliant carmine red. 

The immature bird has general plumage pale pinkisli wliite witii no red on the lesser wing 
coverts. 

Length, 31 ; Wing, 15 ; Tarsus. 4.10: Bill, 6.30. 



KKV TO 'iiii-: \\ati;k iukds ok klorida. 



-43 



This .species occurs in Soiilh America from the West Indies north to 
Florida and the Gulf States. It breeds in Morida, where it is known as 
" Pink Curlew," the nest beiui;- jilaced in mangrove bushes or low trees. 

The e<;-o"s are usually four or li\-e, beino- white and marked with olive 
brt)wn. The bird is conunon on the Hahama Islands. 



Family IBIDID.E. Iijisks. 
Gems GUARA Rj:kii. 




Guara alba (iiiiinature). 



GUAR A ALBA (//////.). 

White Ibis. 

General plumage wliite, with tiie four outer primaries tipped witli black; the bare skin on the 
head IS reddish orange. The immature bird is sometimes l)ro\vn and white; sometimes crray 
brown, and white, having the under parts white, and still younger birds are brown with a white 



244 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FEORIDA. 



rump and gray or grayish brown tail ; the rump is always white, never brown, as in the youns 
of the Scarlet Ibis. There is a great difference in size of individuals. 
Adult: Length. 26; Wing, 11.25: Hill, 6.30. 




Gu.Tia alba (adult). 

Rano-es throughout tropical America and is claimed to have been found 
breediuii as far north as Illinois and South Carolina, and it has been taken 
as far north as Long Island. It is a common species in Florida, where it 
breeds. The nest is a mass of grass and weeds placed in bushes and some- 
times in trees. The eggs are usually from four to five, and greenish white 
in color marked with chocolate brown. 



QUARA RUBRA (////;/.). 
Scarlet Ibis. 

Adult : General plumage scarlet; tips of the outer primaries black: bare skin of the head, 
bill, and legs red. 

The immature are mixed brownish gray, pale on tiie under parts, having the rump brownish 
like the back. 

The immature of this species may be easily distinguished from the immature of tht^ White 
Ibis by the color of the rump. 

Adult: Length, 28; Wing. 11; Bill, 6.50. 

This species has but a very slight claim to be included among our liirds. 
I know of no positive record of its capture in the United States. Audubon 
claimed to have seen this species in Louisiana but did not procure a specimen. 



KEY TO 'IMIIC \\\ri;U I'.IKDS Ol' J I.OKIDA. 



245 



Dr. Coiu's examined a fraijjmenl ol" a sjx-eimen taken near Los Pinos, New 
^Mexico, in Jnne, 1864, and Mr. ]>re\vster records a specimen in the nniseuni 
at Charleston, S. C. which is hdx-lled '' Fh)richi." and which he beHex'cs 
(.juite possibly niii;"ht be an anthenlic specimen. [N.O. C, \'ol. \'ill., l'>aiL^e 
1S5, 1883.] 

'I'his sjiecies has been recorded from Culia and Jamaica bnt is a natixe of 
trojiical America. 



Genus PLEGADIS Kaup. 




PLEQADIS AUTUMNALIS {Hassc/^/.). 
Glossy Ibis, 

Aditli : General plumage chestnut ; wing coverts, back and front of liead showin.t;- .green- 
ish and sometimes lironzy reHections. 

Tlie immature birds have the plumage more 1)ro\vnisli and the front of the head slightly 
mottled; the back greenish ; under parts dusky brown. 

Length. 25; Wing, 11.25; I^iH? 5-40- 

Tropical America, not common in the I'nited States. It occurs in Florida 
and has been taken in the West Indies. Specimens ha\e occasionally been 
taken in summer as far north as Massachusetts. It has been recorded from 
Cambridge and I have a specimen in w\\ collection which was shot at East- 
ham, Mass. The eggs are described as dull blue in color and are usualh- 
thi-ee in ninnber. 



246 KliY TO THE \\'ATJ<:R J5IRDS OF FLORIDA. 

PLEGADIS QUARAUNA (Z/;///.). 
White=faced Glossy Ibis. 

Head chestnut, having a white patch on forehead, chin and bordering the bare space in 
front of the eye. Under parts purpHsh chestnut : upper part of back and wings showing me- 
talhc tints of purple, violet, and green: primaries greenish, showing a bronze luster; rump and 
upper tail coverts and tail greenish with purplish reflections. 

Length, 25 ; Wing, 11 ; Bill, 5.50. 

This species ranges throughout Western United States, south through 
Central America to South America, and has been recorded from the West 
Indies. It is a rare bird on the east coast, a single specimen having been 
found breeding near Lake Washington, Florida. [Brewster, Auk III., 1886, 
page 482.] 

This species may be distinguished from the Glossy Ibis by the white at 
the base of the bill. It builds its nest in swamps, sometimes on bushes : the 
eggs are bluish. 

Suborder Ciconue. 

Storks, etc. 

Family CICONIID.E. Storks and Wood Ibises. 

Subfamily TANTALIN^. Wood Ibises. 

Genus TANTALUS Linn. 




Svj 

"N?" 



n 



TANTALUS LOCULATOR //////. 
Wood Ibis. 

Adult: Having tlie head and neck l^are : general plumage white: primaries, secondaries, 
and tail greenish black. 



Ki':v TO 'iiii: wA'ii.u r.iUDs oi' ikokida. 



-47 



The imniaturc bird lias Uic liead featl\ered and the plumag-c i^rayish on the liead ami some- 
times grayish while on the body. 

Length, 41 : Wing. 18.50: Tarsus, 8.20: ISill, 9.20. 

Rantres lhroiiL;houl Southern I'nitcd Stales, w aiuleriiiL!; occasionally a.s 
far north as ]\'nnsyl\ ania and New York, and southward to Cuba, Jamaica, 
and South America. This species is connuon in I^'iorida, where it ]-)reeds. 
it builds a laro-c rou^'h nest of sticks, which is placed in a tree. The e_i;-<4-s 
are usuallv three : thev are white, and covered with a chalky deposit. 



SuiJORDER HeRODII. 
HiiRoxs, Egrets, liiTTiiRXs, irjc. 

Family ARDEID.E. Herons, BrrrERXS, Eif 

Subfamily BOTAURIN.E:. BLfTERXs. 

Genus BOTAURUS Hermann. 

Subgenus BOTAURUS. 




BOTAURUS LENTIQIN05U5 ( J/wAr- )• 

American Bittern. 

L'pper parts brown : wing coverts edged and mottled with tawny and buff and washed with 
ashy : top of the head and nape slaty with black streak on sides of the upper neck : neck and 



248 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



under parts tawny white ; feathers edged with dusky and dull brown : legs greenish yellow ; a 
loral stripe of dark brown: bill yellowish with a dark streak at the top. 

Length, 27; Wing, 11.50; Bill. 3; Tarsus. 3.40. 

The female is smaller tlian the male and the bird varies very much in size. 

It ranges throughout temperate North America and is common on the 
Atlantic coast, breeding, as a rule, north of North Carolina. It ranges in 
winter south to Central America and the West Indies, being common in 
Florida in some localities. 

The eggs are usually from three to live in number, grayish brown in 
color. 



Genus ARDETTA Gray, 



ARDETTA EXILI5 {Gmd.). 
Least Bittern. 

Adult male: Crown of the head black, extending into a small 
crest ; back and tail black with a greenish tinge back of the neck : 
wing coverts chestnut brown : some of the wing coverts tawny yellow : 
front and sides of the neck and under parts yellowish brown, show- 
ing white on throat ; ■s,^2i\.z\\ oi brownish black on the sides of the 
breast; bill yellowish, dusky on the top: legs green, yellow on the 
back: toes yellow. 

Adult female : Having the back and crown purplish ciiestnut in- 
stead of black. 

Length, 12.50; Wing, 4.50; Bill, 2; Tarsus, 2.10. 

This species ranges from temperate North America 
southward to the West Indies and Northern South 
America. 

It breeds along the Atlantic coast nearly throughout 
its range. It is common in Florida where it breeds, being very abundant in 

some localities. 

The nest is placed in a bunch of reeds or rushes, sometimes on small 

bushes. 

The eggs are from four to six, pale bluish white. I have found as many 
as a dozen nests of this species within a distance of fifty yards on some of 
the small Florida ponds, but it seems to be local, as many ponds in the same 
locality, seemingly equally suitable, did not contain a single individual. 




Kl•:^• 'I'o Till'; wa'I' 



r.lKDS ()|- I-LORIDA. 



H9 




ARDETTA NEOXENA Con'. 
Cory's Bittern.* 

Top of tlie liciul. l);ick, and tail dark L;reL-nisli l)lack. show- 
ins;- a green gloss when held in the light. S'/Wis of the head 
and tJiroat rufous chestnut : the feathers on the hack of 
the neck showing greenish black tijis: breast and under parts 
nearly uniform chestnut, shading into dull black on the 
sides; wing coverts dark rufous chestnut; all the reniiges 
entirely slaty plumbeous ; under tail coverts dull black. 

Wing, 4.30; Tarsus, 1.40; l!il!, i.So. 

This interesting little Bittern wa.s described by me in 1S86 from a speci- 
men taken in the Everglades of Florida. Since then a dozen or more 
specimens have been secured, most of them from Florida, but one was taken 
near Toronto, and another in Michigan. It is probablv not uncommon in 
some localities, but its retiring disposition makes it seem rare, as it is seldom 
seen. 

Subfa:mily ARDEIN.E. Herons and Egrets. 

Genus ARDEA Linn. 

Subgenus ARDEA. 

ARDEA OCCIDENTALI5 And. 
Great White Heron. 



<^>^^ 
^.^X . 




Adult : (ieneral plumage entirely luJiitc ; bill yellow: upper part of the leg near the feath- 
ers, and soles of the feet yellow : the lower part of the leg from the knee to the foot (tarsus) yellow. 
Length about 50; Wing about 1S.50 to 20; Dill, 6.50; Tarsus, 8.50. 

* When I described this bird in i886 I gave it no English name, sini])ly calling it ncoxcna (new and strange). The com- 
mittee of the American Ornithologists' Union liave since done me tlie honor of giving it mv name. 



250 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



This species is resident in Florida, occurring most commonly in the 
southern part of the State. It has been recorded from Cuba and Jamaica. 
It is not common now and is becoming less so every year. The birds breed in 
colonies, the nest being a mass of sticks placed in mangrove trees. The 
eggs are usuallv from three to four, pale bluish in color. 

ARDEA WLJERDEMANNI Baird. 
Wiirdemann's Heron. 

Adult : Head and upper neck white, the forehead showing blackish edges to the feathers 
and faint streaks of black on the back of the head ; neck grayish purple ; rest of plumage 
somewhat resembling the Great Blue Heron, but the markings are paler. 

Size about the same as Ardca occidentalis. 

This bird is probably merely a color phase of occidentalis. It is no- 
where common and is seen so seldom that it is doubtful if its true standing 
will ever be known ; still the preponderance of opinion among naturalists 
seeins to be that it is simplv a color phase of occidentalis and should not 
be recognized as a species. Nearly all of the specimens now in collections 
have been taken on the southwestern coast of Florida. 



ARDEA WARDI Ridgw. 
Ward's Heron. 

Adult : Similar to the Great Blue Heron but somewhat larger, especially the bill. The legs 
are olive instead of black, as a rule ; bill usually yellow, dusky on the top, as a rule, but some- 
times entirely yellow. 

Wing, 20.50 : Tarsus, S.75 : Bill, 6.50 to 7. 

This species seems to be restricted to Florida : it breeds in communities, 
the eggs being apparently of the same color as those of the northern 
Blue Heron. 



ARDEA HER0DIA5 Liiiu. 
Great Blue Heron. 

Crest lengthened : bill yellow, dark brown on top ; legs and feet dark brown ; soles of the 
feet yellow : a streak from the forehead to the middle of the crown white : sides of the crown 
and crest feathers black; neck grayish purple mixed with black and white; chin and part of the 
cheeks whitish, extending in a tawny line on the throat ; neck plumes ; belly black streaked with 



K\:\ ■['() ■nil-: \\Ari:u r.iKDs oi-" i i.okida. 



2^1 



wliitc: back and iqipLT parts bluish slate or gray. 'I'Ik^' iniiiiaturc birds show a great variety of 
color in the plumage. 

Length, 4S ; Wing, 20: Tail. 7 : Tarsus. 6.50: I'.ill. 5.50. 




Ardea IierocUas. 

It ranges tliroiio-hout North America from the far North southward to 
the West Indies and South America. It is supposed to breed on the x\t- 
lantic coast from Florida northward, aUhough I have never seen this species 
in Florida in the breeding season. 

The nest, which is built in a tree, is a large affair composed of sticks. 
The eirus are from three to four in number and pale blue. 

00 



SUBOEXUS HERODIAS BOIE. 



ARDEA EGRETTA Gme/. 
American Egret. 

Adult: Entire plumage white, having in the breeding season long graceful plumes on the 
back, which extend beyond the tail : bill yellow ; legs and feet black ; lores pale orange edged 
with greenish. 

Length, 38: Wing, 16; Tarsus. 5.. So : IJill. 4.80. 

This species ranges throughout tropical and temperate America, having 
been taken on the Atlantic coast as far nortli as New Jersey and Nova 



z^z 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Scotia. It is a common species in Florida, where it is ruthlessly shot for its 
plumes. It breeds in colonies. The nest is a mass of sticks built in bushes 
or small trees. The eggs are from three to live in number and pale blue in 
color. 




Ardea egretta. 

Subgenus GARZETTA Kaup. 

ARDEA CANDIDISSIMA Gmc/. 
Snowy Heron. White Egret. 





Ardea candidissima. 



Adult : Entire plumage pure wliite, having in the breeding season extended phmies on the 
back and also feathers on the crest lengthened; bill black, becoming yellowish at the base; 
lores yellow ; legs black ; feet yellow. 

Length, 22 : Wing, ii; Tarsus, 3.50 : I>ill, 3. 



KEY TO IIII-; WATICK I'.IKDS Ol' I'l.OKlDA. 2-^7, 

'I'his species ranges ihroiis^liout tropical and tt'inpcraU' America as far 
soiitli as liuenos A\-res, South America. It is \er\- common in I'^lorida, wliere 
it breeds, and has been know n to breed as far north as Lonu; Ishind. v^trag- 
olers lia\e been taken in X()\a Scotia. 

The eo-i^s are three to five in nnnd)er and paU- lihie, as in most of this 
family. 

^riiis species is sometimes confounded with the immature of the Florida 
I>lue Heron, which is also white, but that species has a faint wash of o-rayisb 
on the tips of the primaries. Besides havinij^ the primaries perfectly white 
without anv wash near the tips, this species has the legs black, which in the 
immature of the Florida Blue Heron are irreenish yellow. 



Subgenus DICHROMANASSA Ridow. 

ARDEA RUFESCEN5 Gwr/. 
Reddish Egret. 




(Colored phase.) 

. I ////// in tolorcd phase : Head and neck lilac brown ; rest of plumage dark slate color. This 
species has the long plumes extending from the .scapular region of the back during the breed- 
ing season; legs and feet bluish, showing dusky on the scales of the tarsus. IJill black on the 
terminal tliird. the balance flesh color; lores flesh color. 



254 ^^^^' '''^' '^^^^ WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

White phase : Entire plumage white : bill black on the terminal third : balance flesh color ; 
legs greenish. 

Length, 29: Wing, 14: Tail, 4; Tarsus, 5.30; Bill, 3.90. 







(White phase.) 

For a long time the white phase of this species was considered to be 
distinct and was known as Peal's Egret. There can be no doubt as to its 
merely being a different phase of plumage and not a distinct species, as the 
young birds, both white and colored, have been taken from the same nest. 

It usually breeds in Florida, the nest being built on the lower branches 
of a mangrove tree close to the water. I found this bird breeding in the 
Bahama Islands, and on June 25, 1879, took a white and a gray bird from 
the same nest, neither of them being old enough to fly. 

The eggs are usually from 3 to 4 in number, being pale blue in color 



Subgenus HYDRANASSA Baird. 

ARDEA TRICOLOR RUFICOLLIS {Gosse). 
Louisiana Heron. 

Adult male in breeding plumage : Terminal third of bill black, balance blue : lores Ijlue in 
winter : bill black, yellowish at liase : general plumage slaty blue : crest streaked reddish purple, 



Ki:v TO Tiiic w.\ti:k inKOs oi' it.okida. 



^:)0 



mivcd with dull while: throat white, mixed with reddish brown and purple, heavie.st on the lower 
part, formin- a .stripe continuing down the front of the neck: under parts white: under tail 
coverts slightly edged with bluish; legs yellowish green: iris red. 
Length, 25: Wing. 10.50: Tail. 3.50 : Tarsus. 4 : liill. 4- 





Ardea tricolor ruficollis 



Is common in the Gulf States, extending- to Mexico, Central Amenca, 
and the West Indies, accidental northward to New Jersey. 

It is a common species in Florida, hreeding in hushes near water. The 
e<^<'-s are usually four or five, pale hlue in color. 



256 



KJiY TO THE ^^'ATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

Subgenus FLORIDA Baird. 

ARDEA CCERULEA //////. 
Little Blue Heron. 




(Adult.) 

Aditlt : Head and neck purplish red or maroon, rest of plumage grayish l)lue : ])iil black at 
the end ; basal portion and loral space blue ; legs and feet black. 

Immature birds are pure white, except a faint wash of grayish blue near the tip of the pri- 
maries; leg's olive or yellowtsh and'the l^asal half of the bill greenish. 

This species is sometimes confounded with the Snowy Egret, but may easily be distinguished 
from that species by the slight wash of blue on the ends of the primaries and by the color of 
the legs and bill. 

Length about 2\: Wing, ii : Tarsus, ^.60. 



.^^^>. 




\ 



(Immature.) 



Ki:v TO Tin-: wati-.r ijikds oi' i louida. 



^57 



h raiio'cs in winter from the Soullicrn I nilctl Slatt-s to tlu* \\\'st Indies 
and South Anierica : north in summer accidentally to Xew iMi^land. 

It breeds in I'^lorida, buildini;" a nest of sticks in hushes and small trees, 
usualh' oxer \\atei-. The e;L;';L;"s are three to four in number and |-)ale blue. 

SUIGENUS BUTORIDES l!lA III. 




Ardea viresctns 



ARDEA VIRESCENS /////. 
Little Green Heron. 

Top of the liead extendintj iif a small crest dark green: neck cliestnut: throat marked 
heavily with white ; under parts pale purplish or ashy marked with white : l:)ack greenish, show- 
ing tinge of slate color ; wing coverts green, feathers edged with l)uffy white: bend of wing 
whitish; tail greenish, upper mandible black : lower mandible mostly yellow, dark on the top: 
legs yellowish green. 

Length, i6 inches: Wing. 6.50: Tail, 2.4c: Tarsus, 1.85 : Bill, 2.30. 

This species ranges from Canada southward to South America and the 
West Indies, being common and breeding throughout most of its range on 
the Atlantic coast. It is common in Florida, where it breeds. 

The nest is usuallv placed on a branch of a tree oxerhanging water. 
The eggs are pale blue, usuallv four to six in number. 



258 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

Genus NYCTICORAX Stephens. 



Subgenus NYCTICORAX. 




NYCTICORAX NYCTICORAX N^EVIUS {Bodd.). 
Black=crowned Night Heron. 

Crown, head, back, and scapulars greenish black ; forehead, lores, most of the neck and under 
parts white or ash)' white. Wings and tail gray ; legs and feet yellow : two or three verv long 
occiputal^plumes, white, in the breeding season. 

Length, 24 to 26: Wing, 11; Tarsus, 3.10 to 3.40; Tail. 4.20 to 5.30. 

The immature bird has the general plumage mottled dark brown and gray, the leathers 
marked and streaked with pointed blotches of grayish or buff: outer web of primaries buff 
color : under parts streaked with black and white. 

This species occurs on the Atktntic coast from Canachi to South America 

and has been recorded from the West Indies. It is common in Florida. 

The nest is a mass of sticks generally built in trees or low bushes, rarelv on 

the ground. All the nests that I personalh' have found have been built in 

trees or bushes. The eggs are four to six in number and pale blue. 



KEY TO TIIK WATJ-:i 



ISIRDS Ol' 



"LORI DA, 



259 




Xycticorax nycticorax nan-ius (immature). 



Subgenus NYCTHERODIUS Reich. 

NYCTICORAX VIOLACEUS (/.///;/.). 
Yellow=crowned Night Heron. 




(Adult.) 

Top of the head whitish buff extending into a crest; sides of the head black; throat black ; 
breast and under parts grayish plumbeous ; back plumbeous ; two or three very long feathers 
extending as long phimes from the crest ; legs greenish. 



26o KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

Length, about 23; Wing, 13.20; Tail, 4; Tarsus, 3.70: Bill. 2.60. 

Immature birds have the crown dusky streaked with white or buffy white, the rest of the 
plumage heavily mottled, blotched with pointed marks of brown : also marked with buff and 
dull white. Primaries slate color, showing no rufous. The immature birds of this species 
somewhat resemble those of the Black-crowned Night Heron, but differ from it. having the head 
darker and no rufous on the primaries. 

This species occurs in Eastern North x\merica from the CaroHnas south 
to South America and the West Indies. It has been recorded as far north 
as Massachusetts. It breeds commonly in Florida, The nest is built in 
trees, and the eggs are four or live in number and pale blue. 



ORDER PALUDICOL^. 

Cranes, Rails, etc. 

Suborder Grues. 

Cranes. 

Family GRUID^E. Cranes. 
Genls GRUS Pallas. 

QRUS AMERICANA (Z/////.). 
Whooping Crane. 

Adult: Bare part of the head hairy: plumage white ; primaries black; bill greenish : legs 
black; bare skin on the head carmine red. The immature birds have the head feathered and 
the general plumage brownish gray. 

Length, 52 ; Wing, 23.50; Tail, 8.40: Bill, 6.10; Tarsus. 12. 

This species is a rare bird on the Atlantic coast, although it was formerh' 
not unconnnon and has been recorded from New Enirland. It now inliabits 



Kiev TO 'riii<; \\ A ri:!'! i-.ikds oi" i-lorida. 



261 





Grus americaiius. 



the interior of North America from the fur countries south to Texas and 
Mexico, and is supposed to be occasionally found in Florida. I have never 
met with it in Florida and it must be considered a rare bird in the Slate. 
It breeds from Illinois northward, the e^^gs being two, pale grayish green, 
blotched and marked with dark brown. 



26; 



KEY TO THE WATJiR BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



QRU5 HEXICANA (J/////.). 
Sandhill Crane. 




Cirus mexicana. 



Adult : Having the l)are skin on the top of tlie head deep red; general plvmiage brownish 
gray, sometimes buffy gray on the back; legs black. 
Length. 46: Wing, 21.50; Tarsus, 10 : Bill. 5.30. 

This species ranges throughout the southern half of North x\merica, 

being common in Florida and some parts of Georgia. It breeds commonly 

in Florida, the nest being a pile of sticks sometimes built in the middle of 

a shallow pond, and again the bird simply deposits the eggs in some open 

piece of dry ground \\\\\\ no attempt at a nest. The eggs are two in number, 

gra3ash olive marked with dark brown. The note of the Sandhill Crane 

somewhat resembles the sounds made by the blocks when hoisting sail on a 

vessel. 



KRY TO 'i'JiJ-: \\'.\ri:K i-.ikds oi' ilokida. 263 

Suborder Ralli. 

Rails, (j ai.limli;s, Coots, i;tc. 

Family ARAMID^E. Courlans. 

Genus ARAMUS Vieill. 

ARAMAS QIGANTELJS (Bonap.). 
Limpkin. 

General plumage dark olive brown striped with white, the stripes on the body being niucli 
heavier than those on the head and neck : wing and tail showing bronzy reflections when lield 
in the light : under mandible slightly twisted near the tip. 

Length. 27.50 : Wing. 13; Tarsus, 4.35: Bill, 4.50. 





'iSSSfc^ 



Aramus giganteus. 



This species occurs in Florida on the Athmtic coast and Central America 
and in many of the West Indies. 

It is resident and breeds in Florida, the nest being composed of leaves 
and twigs, which is placed in a tree or bush near a river or in a swamp. 
The eggs are from five to se\en in number and buffy white marked with 
dark brown. At one time it was a \ery abundant species, but is now seldom 
seen except in the less inhabited districts. It eats the land-snails which are 
so abundant in the cypress ponds on the borders of the E\-erglades. 



264 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Family RALLID.E. Rails, Gallinules, and Coots. 

Subfamily RALLIN.^. Rails. 

Genus RALLUS Linn. 

RALLUS ELEGANS AiuL 
King Rail. 

Adult: Upper parts dark brown : tliroat white : breast reddish brown ; sides darker barred 
with white; back and scapulars brownish margined with olive gray; wings and tail dull brown 
or olive brown; wing coverts rufous brown. 

Length, 15.40; Wing. 6.55 ; Tarsus, 2.25 : Bill, 2.50. 





Rallus elegans. 



Kallus virginianus. 



This species inhabits the fresh water marshes of Eastern United States 
from New Enghmd southward. 

It is not uncommon in Florida, where it breeds. The eggs are generally 
from nine to twelve, pale brownish white, spotted with reddish brown. 



KEY TO THE WATER IJIRDS OF FLORIDA. 265 

RALLUS VIRGINIANUS //////. 
Virginia Rail. 

Adult: Havint; somewliat the appearance of a very small Kini;- Rail; upper parts are 
dusky or blackish ; feathers edged with grayish brown ; wings brownish ; under parts dark rufous 
brown; throat white : lores ashy white, shading into gray on the cheeks ; Hanks and under tail 
coverts barred and spotted with white and black. 

Length, 9.40 ; Wing, 4.25 ; Tarsus, 1.35 ; Hill, 1.55. 

Ranges throughout North America from the I British Proxiuces soutli to 
Central America and Cuba. It breeds from New Knghind northward on the 
AtLantic coast, the nest being made of grass, and the eggs are six to twelve, 
pale brownish white, spotted with reddish brown. 



RALLUS L0NQIR0STRI5 CREPITANS {Gmcl?,. 
Clapper Rail. 




Adult : Upper parts dull olive : feathers edged with gray : throat white ; breast pale grayish 
brown; rest of under parts grayish lirown barred with white on the sides ; wing coverts cinna- 
mon brown tinged with gray. 

Length, 14.75; ^Ving, 5.10: Tarsus, 2.10; Bill. 2.60. 



266 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



This species differs from the King Rail in being much gra3'er on the 
upper parts and paler on the under parts. The Clapper Rail prefers salt 
water marshes. It ranges on the Atlantic coast from New Jersey south- 
ward, but has been recorded from Massachusetts. It is not uncommon in 
Florida, but is probably replaced in nearly all the Gulf States by the local 
form, known as Scott's Rail. The nest is a little grass on salt water marshes : 
eggs are from eight to twelve, pale brownish white spotted with dark brown. 



RALLU5 LONGIROSTRIS 5C0TTII {Senii:). 
Florida Clapper Rail. Scott's Rail. 

Adult: Similar to the preceding species but darker in color and more brownish above; 
breast rufous brown ; flanks blackish. Both this and the Clapper Rail differ from the King 
Rail in the color of the wing coverts, which are much more highly colored in that species. 

Rano-e : Gulf coast of Florida. 



Genus PORZANA Vieill. 
Subgenus PORZANA. 




^^ , 



PORZANA CAROLINA (Z?V///.). 
Sora. Carolina Rail. 

Above reddish brown, streaked with black and some of the feath- 
ers edged with white: flanks and linings of the wings barred with 
white and black : abdomen dull white ; a stripe of black passing 
from the bill down the center of the throat but not reaching the 
breast ; whole of the breast, a cheek patch and superciliary line 
slate color; crown chestnut with a black stripe through the center; 
carpus edged with white ; crissum rufous, shading into whitish. 

Length, 7.75 : Wing, 4.20; Tail, 2 ; Tarsus, 1.38 ; Bill, .75. 

Ranges from temperate North America south in 
winter to Northern South America ; it is common in 
Florida during the migrations. It breeds from Long 
Island northward : the eggs are from ten to fifteen 
in number, pale brownish white spotted with dark 
brown. 



ki<:y to the \vati:i^ ihrds of Florida. 



267 



Sriu.KM s COTURNICOPS Bonap. 



PORZANA N0VEB0RACENSI5 (C/w/.). 
Yellow Rail. 

Above, streaked with hlackisli and yellowish brown : feathers 
l:)arred and mottled with white ; under parts yellowish brown, palest 
on the belly : feathers of the breast tipped with dark brown : under 
surface of wings white; a pale yellowish brown superciliary stripe. 

Length. 6; Wing-, 3 to 3.50: Tarsus, .90 to 1.00. 

This species ranijjes from Hudson's Bay to Cuba. 
It is not uncommon in Florida. I ha\e seen se\eral 
specimens which haxe been killed by people while 
snipe shooting. I liave shot two specimens on the 
marshes bordering the St. John's River. The eggs 

are described as pale, creamv buff in color, speckled and sprinkled with 

rustv brown. 




Subgenus CRECISCUS Cabanis. 



PORZANA JAMAICENSI5 {G/ucI.). 
Black Rail. 

Top of the head dusky ; nape and upper back brownish 
chestnut : rest of liack and upper tail feathers dusky or smoky 
l)rown finely barred with white: throat gray or ash gray; belly 
gray : tlanks and lower belly and under tail coverts banded with 
white : bill black. 

Length, 5 ; Wing, 2.50 to 3.20; Tarsus. .85 to .90. 

This species occtu^s in temperate North America 

from Massachusetts to the West Indies and South 

America. It is \ery retiring in its habits and 

therefore seldom seen. The eggs are usually 

ten, being dull white speckled with reddish brown. I have never met 

with it in Florida, but Mr. W. E. D. Scott records it in his list of the birds 

of the Caloosahatchie region. (.\iik, p. 20i), /Spj.) 




268 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Subfamily GALLINULIN^^. Gallinules. 

Genus IONORNIS Reich. 

lONORNIS MARTINICA (Z/;///.). 
Purple Gallinule. 

Adult male : Head, neck, and under parts bluish 
purple, grading into black on the belly; above olive; 
wing coverts bluish ; back olive ; crissum white; frontal 
plate of the bill blue : bill red tipped with yellow ; legs 
yellow. 

Length, ii; Wing, 6.50; Tail, 2.65; Tarsus, 2.30. 

This species is resident in Florida and 
has been taken on the Athmtic coast as far 
north as Maine. Ranges in winter to the 
West Indies and Northern South America. 

The eo-gs are eight to ten, pale huffy white, dotted with brownish. The 
nest is a mat of grass on reeds or in marshes. 





Genus GALLINULA Brisson. 

QALLINULA QALEATA {Llcht.). 

Florida Gallinule. 

Head blackish ; bill tipped with green, rest of bill 
and frontal plate deep red ; upper back slaty ; lower 
back and wings ohve brown ; under parts dark slate 
color ; lower belly grayish ; feathers faintly tipped with 
white; some of the feathers on the sides having the 
inner webs white near the tip. giving the appearance 

'A white stripes; under tail coverts black; / 

tail white and black ; legs olive green, reddish ' 

near the body. 

Length, 13 ; Wing, 6.60 ; Tail, 3.10 ; Tarsus, 

2; Bill, including frontal shield. 1.75; Bi 

from gape, 1.25. 

Ranges throughout temperate and tropical America 
from Canada to South America. It is a common resi- 
dent in Florida and has been known to breed as far 
north as Maine. The nest is built in marshes, being a mass of grass or 





Kiev TO Till-: \\AT1:r UIRDS of FLOlillJA. 



269 



rushes: the eggs are from eight to tliirteen in number, pale brownish white 
spotted and speckled with brown. 



SuBi -AMiLv FULICIN.^. Coots. 



Genus FULICA Linn. 





Fiilica americana. 



Fulica americana (foot). 



FULICA AMERICANA Gmel. 
American Coot. Mud=hen. 

Aditlt : (leneral plumage dark slate color; head and neck blackish; bill whitish marked 
with reddish l)lack on the upper mandible: frontal plate brownish white ; legs and feet dark 
olive, the toes having peculiar semicircular Haps or weljs ; abdomen grayish; edge of wing and 
ends of secondaries white. 

Lengtii, 14.75 ; Wing, 7.45 ; Tail, 2.30; Bill, from front edge of frontal plate. 1.40. 

It ranges in North America from New^ J^runswick south to the West 
Indies and Central America, being common in Florida, where it is resident. 

It breeds in the marshes. The eggs are from eight to fifteen, which are 
pale brownish white in color and marked with dark chocolate brown. 

This species may be easily distinguished from the Gallinule by the 
peculiar rounded flaps or webs on the toes, and by the different color of the 
frontal plate. 



270 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



ORDER LIMICOL^. 

Shore Birds. 

Family PHALAROPODID.E. Phalaropes. 
Genus CRYMOPHILUS Vieill. 



CRYM0PHILU5 FULICARIUS {Linn.). 
Red Phalarope. Gray Phalarope. 

Adult male in sitninier: General under parts 
and sides of the neck purplish brown ; upper tail 
coverts purplish brown slightly darker than the 
under parts ; crown of the head and base of the bill 
smoky black ; sides of the head white extending to 
the nape ; rump white ; back black ; feathers edged 
with tawny brown ; primaries dusky, the shafts 
being white and the base of the feathers white ; 
some of the secondaries white; bill yellowish brown, 
dark on the tip; feet dull yellow. 

Adult in winter : Head and under parts white, 
a small patch around the eye and a nuchal crest 
dusky ; the under parts of the body are tinged with 
ashy gray on the sides ; upper parts grayish ash 
color ; wings sliowing a distinct white bar ; bill 
dusky ; feet brownisli. 
Length, 7.45; Wing, 5; Tail, 2.50; Bill, .94; Tarsus, .70. 

This is a maritime species which ranges from the far north, where it 
breeds, southward to the Middle States. It is claimed to be occasionally 
seen off the coast of Florida, and I once purchased a stuffed specimen 
(which may or may not have been taken in Florida) from a dealer in Jack- 
sonville, with a number of other skins of Florida birds. 

The eggs are laid on the ground, the nest being formed of a little grass, 
and are from three to four in number, jiale oli\e marked with chocolate 
brown. 




KEY TO 'I'lII', \\.\'I'i:u lilKDS OF l-I.ORIDA. 



271 



Family RECUR\'1R0STRID.E. Avocets and Stti/fs. 



Genus RECURVIROSTRA Eixn. 




Recurvirostva aniericana. 



RECURVIROSTRA AMERICANA Gmcl. 
American Avocet. 

Adult in summer : Bill very slender and curved upwards; feet partly webbed ; general plu- 
mage white, becoming cinnamon brown on the head and neck, but remaining whitish at the 
base of the bill ; primaries black ; most of the secondaries white, forming a broad white patch 
on the wing ; tail ashy gray ; legs bluish ; bill black. 

Adidt in zuintcr : Head and most of the neck ashy gray ; tail ashy gray : rest as in summer 
plumage. 

Length, 18 to 20; Wing, 7.50 to 9; Tail. 3.50: Bill. 3.25 to 3.75 ; Tarsus, 3.60. 

This is a western species which rani^es from the Great Shi\-e Lake 
southward to Central America and the West Indies : is not common on the 
Atlantic coast north of Florida. Stragglers have been recorded as far north 
as the Bay of Fnndy, but it is a very rare bird in New England. 

The ef'-t'-s are from three to foiu" in niunber, pale gravish olive spotted 
with very dark brown. 



!7 2 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Genus HIMANTOPUS Briss. 




Himantopus mexicanus. 



HIMANTOPUS MEXICANUS 
Black=necked Stilt. 

Adult : Top and sides of the head and back of the neck and back black ; under eyehd and 
a spot above and behind the eye, forehead and sides of the head under the eye white ; rest of 
under parts with the rump and upper tail coverts white ; tail ash gray or pearl gray ; bill black ; 
legs red in life. 

The immature bird has the upper parts brownish ; feathers edged with whitish ; wings black- 
ish, some of the feathers tipped with white; wing coverts edged with buff or tawny brown; 
under parts white mottled with black and tawny brown. 

Length, 15.50; Wing, 9 ; Tail, 3 ; Tarsus, 4.25 ; Rill, 2.70. 

This species is common througliout tropical America, occasionally being 
found in the Mississippi Valley as far north as Minnesota. It is accidental 
on the Atlantic coast north of Florida and Southern Georgia, although it 
has been recorded as far north as Long Island. It is common in Florida 
after April first, and breeds in the State. 

The eggs are laid on the ground, sometimes on a little grass, and again 
without an}^ nest whatever. They are three to four in number and pale 
brown or dull white, spotted and marked with chocolate brown. 



ki:y 'io 'iiii': waiici^ iurds of ilokida. 

Family SCOLOPACID^E. Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. 

Genus PHILOMELA (^ray. 



273 




PHILOMELA niNOR {Gwc/.). 
American Woodcock. 

Adult : Dill long, corrugated near the end ; upper parts variegated witli tawny rufous brown 
and black ; head rufous brown, banded on the occiput with alternate bands of black and tawny- 
brown ; a line of black from the eye to the bill ; a narrow patch on the sides of the lower head, 
blackish ; throat pale rufous or rufous white ; under parts of the body pale rufous : quills 
brownish ; tail feathers dusky tipped with ash ; bill pale brown, yellowish at the base : legs red- 
dish ; bill light brown ; paler and yellowish at base. 

Length, 11.50; Wing, 5.45 ; Tarsus, 1.30; Bill, 2.90 to 3.05. 

Common on the Atlantic coast from Labrador 
breeding, as a rule, north of the Carolinas. It is 
Florida in winter and is very abundant in the swamps of Alabama and 
Louisiana at some seasons. The eggs are usuall}^ four, mottled and spotted 
with brown. 



to the Gulf of Mexico, 
occasionally observed in 



Genus GALLINAGO Leach. 

QALLINAGO DELICATA {OnP). 
Wilson's Snipe. English Snipe. 

Bill long and straight, being slightly enlarged near the tip and sliowing numerous small pits; 
no iveb on iocs ; general upper parts dark brown, tawny brown, pale yellow, dull white; top of 
the head black witli middle stripe of tawny l^-own : outer web of first primary white ; greater 



274 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Wing coverts brownish or dusky with white tips ; axilars and under surface of wings l^arred with 
black ; upper tail coverts tawny brown barred with black ; tail feathers chestnut brown with 
subterminal black bar; tips white and feathers marked with black at the base; under parts 
white ; breast and throat speckled and lined with brown ; sides of the body brownish barred 
with dull black. 

Length, ii; Wing. 5; Tail, 2.20: Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 2.40 to 2.60. 




Gallinago delicata. 

Ranges from*Hudson Ba}^ and Labrador south to South America. Breeds 
from New England northward. This species is common in Florida in win- 
ter, where it is found in great numbers on the fresh water marshes. It is 
common on the New England coast in the spring and fall, and occasionally 
a few remain to breed. 



ki-:y 'I'o Tiiic w.\ti:r iurds of Florida. 



275 



The ego-s are pale Inifl" color spotted with chocohite brown, more nu- 
merously tu the larger ends ; bill brown ( greenish gray in life), paler at base 
and darker toward the end. 



Genus MACRORHAMPHUS Leach. 

MACRORHAMPHUS QRISEU5 (Gwd.). 
Dowitcher. Red=breasted Snipe. 

A/fn/f ill suiiniicr : A small web between the inner 
toes : upper parts blackish ; feathers edged with tawny 
..j>.^ brown: top of head blackish mottled with tawny 

"' brown ; under parts red brown, banded on the sides ; 

throat and breast only slightly spotted, entirely with- 
out spots in some plumages; tail and tail coverts 
; barred with black. Bill dark olive. 

In wi liter: Upper parts grayish, feathers showing 
'' '••';• faint edges of buff on the back ; chin and superciHary 
, '^ stripe dull grayish white ; breast gray, showing slight 
" ■'■'Jl^ traces of tawny; rest of under parts dirty white, mot- 
^ ir^'f " tied on the crissum ; tail banded black and white. 
"■ '■'-"''' Length, 10.30; Wing, 5.70; Tarsus, 1.30; Bill, 2.20 

to 2.50. 
Rancres from the Arcdc Circle to South America : common during the 
migrations, being common in winter in Florida. It breeds in the far north, 
ecrgs being pale buff or dull olive mottled and speckled with dark brown. 




/- 



MACRORHAMPHUS 5C0L0PACEUS {Say.). 
Long=bined Dowitcher. Western Red=breasted Snipe. 

Resembles the preceding species, but the bill is longer and the sides of the body are more 
distinctly barred with black ; the principal difference is one of size. 

Length, 1 1 ; Wing, 6.05 ; Tarsus, 1.55 ; r.ill 2.20 to 2.60. 

This is a western species, which occasionally occurs on the Atlantic 
coast. It is a common bird in Florida in winter. The eggs are similar in 
coloration to those of the preceding species. 



276 



KEY TO THE \VATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 




Genus MICROPALAMA Baird. 

MICROPALAMA HIMANTOPUS {Bonap.). 

5tilt Sandpiper. 

Adult in suiiuiicr : Legs long; entire plumage dull 
white and dark brown, being banded on the under parts 
with dark brown and the upper parts streaked with dark 
brown ; a stripe of chestnut brown above and below the eye, the former 
'T^"^' "' ' , extending backwards and joining at the occiput ; secondaries edged with 

' ,;, tawny brown. 

Adult ill lointcr : Upper phnnage gray; feathers on the back edged 
with white ; breast pale buff slightly mottled, shading into dull white on 
the upper throat ; belly dull white : bill black. 

Length, 8.20; Wing, 5 ; Tarsus, 1.65 ; Bill, 1.60. 

This species ranges from the Arctic Circle to South America, being 
abundant on the Atlantic coast during the migrations ; it is common in Flor- 
ida. It has the general appearance of a very diminutive Summer Yellow- 
legs, having olive green legs instead of yellow. 

It breeds in the far north ; the eggs are pale buffy white, spotted with 
brown. 



Genus TRINGA Linn. 

Subgenus TRINGA. 

TRINGA CANUTUS //;/;/. 
Knot. Robin Snipe. 





regionj' 



Male ill siuiuncr : Under parts except lower 
l)elly reddish brown ; lower belly white ; a stripe 
of reddish brown over the eye ; back and wing 
coverts mottled gray, black and tawny. 

Adult in winter: Entire upper parts ashy gray ; 
the shafts of the feathers on the back showing dark 
brown ; a superciliary stripe, dull white ; throat 
' »" white; breast showing slight gray marking ; belly 
wliite ; legs black ; bill black. 

Length, 10.60; Wing,6.7o; Tarsus, 1.25 ; Bill, 1.30. 

This species breeds in the Arctic 

occurring on the Atlantic coast during migrations ; it is common 



.v^ 



KICY 'I'O 'I'll 



\\'\'ri:R lUKDS Ol' I'LOKIDA. 



277 



ill Florida in full and spring, a few reniainiiiL;" all winter. The eggs are 
described as being light pea green in color, tinely spotted with brown. 




Subgenus ARQUATELLA r>AiRi). 

TRINGA MARITIMA Jhilnn. 
Purple Sandpiper. 

Aditlt : Upper parts gray, showing slight purphsh 
reflections when held in the light ; breast gray ; throat 
grayish wliite ; belly white, marked with gray on the 
sides ; liill brown, yellow at base. 

Length, 9.25 : Wing. 5 ; Tarsus, .92 ; Bill, 1.30. 
The Piu-ple Sandpiper is a northern spe- 
cies, breeding in high latitudes, but occur- 
rinir in winter on the Atlantic coast south 
to Florida, where it is by no means com- 
mon, a specimen being occasionally taken on the west coast. Some birds 
remain on the New England coast all w^inter. 

The eggs are buff, sometimes tinged with olive and mottled with brown. 




Subgenus ACTODROMAS Kaup. 




TRINGA MACULATA Vieill. 
Pectoral Sandpiper. Grass Bird. 

Head and upper parts brown, the feathers edged with 
tawny; throat and belly white; breast pale brown, the 
feathers narrowly streaked with dark brown ; upper 
tail coverts black ; basal half of bill dull greenish 
yellow. 

Length, 9; Wing, 5.25: Tarsus, 1.05; Bill, r.15. 

This species ranges from the Arctic regions 
to South America, being common on the 
Atlantic coast din-ing migrations. It breeds 
in the far north. 

The eggs are greenish buff, mottled with 
brown, heaviest at the larger end. 



278 



KEY TO THE \\ATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



TRINQA FUSCICOLLIS VicUI. 
\Vhite=rumped Sandpiper. 

.-Idiilt ill sjiiiiincr : Top of the liead and back mottled 
with black, dull white, and buff ; throat white ; breast finely 
lined with dark brown : belly white ; an imperfect super- 
ciliary line of dull white, rump dusky gray and most of 
upper tail coverts wJiite. 

Adult in winter: Top of the head and back grayish, 
some of the feathers marked with dark brown, giving it a 
slightly mottled appearance on the back and top of the 
head ; upper throat white ; breast ashy gray, the shafts of 
the feathers showing brown ; belly white; forehead whit- 
ish, extending in an imperfect superciliary line. 

Length, 6. 85 ; Wing, 4.95 : Tarsus. .95 ; Bill, .95. 

This species may be distinguished by the 
white upper tail coverts. It ranges from the Arctic regions south to South 
America and the West Indies. It breeds in high hititudes : the eggs are 
buff or oHve, spotted and dotted with dark brown. 




TRINQA MINUTILLA VieiU. 
Least Sandpiper. 




Adult in siinuner : Very small; upper parts 
marked with tawny black and pale buff ; under 
parts whitish on the throat, shading into ashy 
gray, showing faint brownish lines on the breast ; 
rest of the under parts white : bill dull black. 
Xo IV eb between toes. 

Adult in 7vinter : Similar to the above but 
grayer in color. 

Length, 5.50 to 6.50: Wing, 3.60; Tarsus, .75 ; 
Bill. .85. 



The Least Sandpiper may be distinguished from the Semi- 
pahiiated Sandpiper by the absence of the small web between 
the toes, so noticeable in that species. 

Common throughout North and South America, breeding 
north of the United States. Eggs are three to four, generally 
pale buff mottled with chestnut brown. 




KEY TO Tin: \\'A'1"1-:U IMKDS Ol' II.ORIDA. 

Subgenus PELIDNA Cuv. 



279 



> 



Leiiirth, S 



TRINGA ALPINA PACIFICA (Cout's). 
Red=backed Sandpiper. 

,lt///// in siiiiuiicr: Tlie fealhers on the top of the head and 
back bright rufous brown lieavily blotched with black on the 
central part of each feather; throat whitish ; breast streaked 
with l)lack : belly black on the upper part, becominir white on 
the lower belly and crissum : bill black. 

Aihilt ill -a'iiitn-: I'pper parts gray, slightly mottled; 
throat wliite: breast gray, the shafts of the feathers dark 
brown : I'elly and under tail coverts pure white ; a faint dull 
white superciliary line. 
Wing, 4.75 ; Tarsus, i.io; Bill, 1.65. 
Ranges throughout North America, breeding far northward. It occurs 
on the Athmtic coast during migrations. 

The e<^<^s are buffv white, sometimes bhiish white, mottled with chocohite 

at the kirger end. 



Subgenus ANCYLOCHEILUS Kaup. 
Genus EREUNETES Illiger. 

EREUNETES PUSILLU5 {Linn.). 
Semipalmated Sandpiper. 




Ereunetes pusillus 
(foot). 



Adult in Slimmer: Heavily marked with dark brown 
and tawny on the top of the head and Ijack; forehead 
whitish ; under parts and throat white : breast mottled with 
grayish ; belly white : iocs -a'ii/i smali -a'cb. 

Adult in winter : Upper parts grayish, mottled with brown 
on the head, and the feathers showing dark brown edged with 
white on the back: throat white ; breast very faintly wa.shed 
Avith gray, which is sometimes very indistinct ; belly and 
under tail coverts white ; toes ivitJi small loeb. 
Length. 6.25 ; Wing, 3.70: Tarsus. .75 ; Bill. .So. 

Ranges from Labrador southward to tlie West Indies, and is common on 
the Atlantic coast during migrations. This species may be distinguished 
from the Least Sandpiper by the partly webbed toes. 




28o 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



The eggs are buff white, mottled with brown and chocolate brown, 
heaviest on the larger end. 

EREUNETES 0CCIDENTALI5 Lmin: 

Western Semipalmated Sandpiper. ' 

This species may be distinguished from E. piisillits by its longer bill, which is oftentimes ' 
1.25 inches in length, while E. pitsilliis rarely if ever has the bill one inch in length. Occasionally 1 
examples of the Western Sandpiper have the bill less than one inch, and in such cases it is 
almost impossible to distinguish them from the winter examples of E. piisilhis j therefore it is 
perhaps as well for the sportsmen to consider all of those birds having bills less than one inch 
in length to be E. pjisillus, and if it is important to have the identification absolutely accurate, 
they could easily obtain the opinion of some professional ornithologist to settle such a fine point. 

Adult in siiiiniicr : A small web between the toes ; top of head brown ; back reddish 
brown : the feathers marked with black and some of them tipped and edged with white ; rump 
smoky black ; under parts white, showing a faint tawny tinge on the breast. 

Adult ill winter : Top of head and back gray, showing brown on the shafts of the feathers 
forehead and under parts dull white; the breast faintly lined with grayish brown, sometimes 
entirely wanting. 

Bill black, becoming greenish olive on basal part of the mandible. 

Length, 6.50 ; Wing, 3.85 ; Tarsus, .82 ; Bill, .90 to 1.15. 

Occasionally occurs on the Atlantic coast, although its home is proper!}- I 
in the West. It is common in Florida in winter, more so on the West than 
on the East coast. 

The eggs are pale buff dotted with dark brown. 




Genus CALIDRIS Cuv. 

CALIDRIS ARENARIA (IJ/ifi.). 
Sanderling. BulUpeep. 

Adult in summer: Head, throat, and upper 
parts, except rump, reddish brown, black and white ; 
belly and under parts pure white. 

Adult in winter: Top of the head and back 
ash gray, the shafts of the feathers being brown; 
forehead and entire under parts white ; bill black. 

Length, 8. 10 ; Wing, 5.05 ; Tarsus, i : Bill, i. 

'^ This species may always be distin- 

guished by the absence of the fourth 
toe, being the onl}- Sandpiper occurring 
on our coast havin£r three toes. It is 



Ki:v TO Jill': w A' 



niKDS ()!• 



•1,()K 11) \, 



281 



common duriiii( niigratioiLs, ranging i'roni the Arctic regions lo tin- West 
Indies and South America. The eggs are Hght olive and huff, spotted witli 
lirown. 



Gems LIMOSA I>kisson. 

LinOSA FEDOA (//////.). 
Marbled (iodwit. 

.\dull i/t s//;n ///(•/■ : ISill curved slightly upward : upper parts mottled with hlai k and lawny : 
upper throat white, rest of throat finely streaked with brown; l)reast pale tawny, the leathers 
l)anded irregularly with brown: belly tawny, sometimes without bands; bill dull flesh color in its 
basal half, the rest blackish. 

A(hilt in winter: Top of the head brown streaked with pale brown; feathers of the back 
dark brown edged with tawny ; chin white ; throat pale l)uff faintly lined with brown; under 
parts reddish buff; sides faintly barred with brown. 

Length. 19; Wing, S.So; Tarsus, 2.S0 ; Hill, 3.50 to 4.50. 





I.imosa fedoa. 

This species breeds in the interior from the Missom-i region northward. 
It occurs in winter south to Florida and Cuba, but is not abtnidant anywhere 
on the Atlantic coast. 

The eggs are described as being from three to four in mnnber and of a 
dull brownish ash color, blotched and mottled with gray and grayish brown. 



282 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 

LIMOSA H/EMASTICA (//////.). 
Hudsonian Qodwit. 




Adult in sitimiicr: Bill slightly curved up; top of the head dusky, showing pale brown 
streaks; back black, tlie feathers spotted with tawny brown. Upper tail coverts white; chin 
whitish dotted with dusky ; throat reddish brown streaked with brown ; under parts dark rufous 
brown, faintly and irregularly banded with black. Bill grayish yellow, dark brown along the 
ridge of the upper mandible, and blackish towards the tips of both. 

Adult in ivinter: General plumage grayish : top of the head gray mottled with brown ; back 
gray ; some of the feathers tipped with dark brown and indistinctly edged witli dull whitish ; 
upper tail coverts white ; chin white ; throat ash gray : under parts grayish white. 

Length, 15.50; Wing, 8.30; Tarsus, 2.30; Bill, 3 to 3.40. 
Ranges in Eastern North America from the far North south to Sotith 
America. It is becoming less common every year, although at one time it 
was an abundant species, during the migrations, on our coast. 

Breeds in the far North ; the eggs are described as dark brownish olive 
lined and spotted with dark brown. 

Genus TOT ANUS Bechst. 

Subgenus GLOTTIS Koch. 

TOTANUS NEBULARIUS (^Gunn.). 
Qreen=shank. 

This species has the general appearance of a Winter Yellow-leg {Totanus inelanolcuciis), 
although tlie marking is somewhat different. It is a very rare bird on our coast, there being 
no actual record since Audubon's time, who states that specimens were taken in Florida, near 
Cape Sable. It may easily be distinguished by the greenish-gray legs and the dusky-green 
bill, wliich is dark at the tip, and the white rump. 

Length, 14; Wing, 7.20; Bill, 2.30 to 2.50; Tarsus, 2.30. 



Ki'.v I'o 11 II': a\'.\ii:k kikds oh ilokida. 



^^3 



TOTANUS MELANOLEUCUS (G'/m-/.). 
Greater Yellow=legs. Winter Yellow=legs. 




i^^?2*«^' 



Aiiiilt ill siiiiiniiT : \\\\\ nearly straiylit; upper pluniaj;f mottled with white and black ; throat 
white streaked with black: chin whitish: breast white heavily streaked with l)lack; rest of 
under parts white irregularly marked with ])lack: middle of belly nearly always pure white: bill 
black and legs yellow. 

jldiilt in zuinicr : Top of the head and neck streaked white and dark brown; back brown, 
the feathers narrowly edged with whitish: chin white; breast white, narrowly lined with dark 
brown; rest of under parts white; bill black and legs yellow. 

Length, 14.50; Wing, 7. So; Tarsus, 2.50; Bill, 2.30. 

Common ill Eastern North America from the ^Vrctic region soiitliw arcl to 
South America. It is abundant on the Athmtic coast din-ino- miorations : 
common in Florida in winter. 

The eggs are pale huffy brown spotted with dark brow n. 



TOTANUS FLA VI PES (Gw</.) 
Summer Yellow=legs. 

LTpper parts grayish brown mottled with whitish 
on the back ; chin white ; throat white streaked with 
pale grayish brown; breast mottled, belly white; tail 
feathers banded brown and white: bill black; legs 
yellow. 

Length. lo.cSo; Wing. 6.45 : Tarsus. 2.10: Hill. 1.45. 

Ranijes from the sub-Arctic regions 
southward to South America. Ureeds in 
the interior from Minnesota and Illinois 
northward. The eggs are pale buff dotted 
and blotched with dark brown and chocolate brown. This is a well-known 




284 ^^'^'^ TO Till'; N\'A'ri';R birds of fi>orida, 

species on our coast during the miL^rations. It is common in Florida in 
winter, especialh' durini^ migrations. 



Subgenus RHYACOPHILUS Kaup. 

TOTANUS SOLITARIUS ( IJ'/Vs.). 
Solitary Sandpiper. 

Adult in sii miner: Top of head and Ijack bronzy green dotted with white; under parts 
white : the breast thickly streaked and dotted with brown; bill greenish brown (in life), dusky 
terminally. 

Adult in winter: Upper parts olive brown, showing a faint greenish gloss when held in the 
light, the feathers faintly dotted with dull white; throat white; breast streaked with brown; 
rest of under parts white. 

Length, S.50; Wing, 5.30; Tarsus. 1.20; Hill, 1.30. 










Totaniis sulitarius. 



Tliis sjiecies ranges I'rom the sub-Arctic regions southward to South 
America. It usually occurs on our Atlantic coast during the migrations, and 
is not uncommon in Florida. It breeds from Pennsylvania and Illinois 
northward. The eggs, which are described from a single specimen taken 
by Jenness Richardson, in Vermont, and described by Dr. Brewer, are light 
drab with small rounded brown markings, having a few faint purplish marks 
on the larger end. 



KiiY lo 'rill-: \\\'n:R 



KDS Ol- I'KOKIDA. 



28: 



Genus SYMPHEMIA Rai . 

SYMPHEHIA SBMI PALM ATA {(;»!<■/.). 
Willet. 

Adult in siiDiiiicr : I 'pper plumajie i;iay, streaked on the lu-ad with dark brown, and the 
central portion of many oi the feathers has tiie l)ack hlotclied with l)rown ; chin wliite : throat 
white dotted witli l)rown : under ]nirts dull wiiite, the feathers on the sides barred with iirown 
and washed witii tawny ; axillars black ; bill l)luish, dusky toward end. 

AihiU in -toiiiti')-. I>ill nearly straiu,ht, upper plumage gray, showing faint indications of 
whitish on the tips of some of the feathers on the back; chin whitish ; throat ashy gray; the 
rest of under parts white, showing ashy on the sides of the body. The broad white band on the 
wings is a distinguishing character of this bird when flying, formed by the basal jjortion of 
the primaries and some of the secondaries being white. 

Length. 15. so; Wing, S.io: Tarsus, 2.30: P>ill, 2 to 2.30. 



iv 




Sym|)hemia seiiiipalriiala. 



Ranges from temperate South America .south to the We.st Inches and 
South x\merica. 

It breeds from New luighmd to Florichi, althouoh it does not breed 
conunonlv north of the CaroHnas. Il is a very eommon species in Florida, 



286 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



where it frequents the beaches and marshes, and ma}' be easiU' distinguished 
!■)}• its broad white wing band and pecuHar whistle. 

It is not Hkely to be confounded with any species, but a very p^ood 
distinguishing character is the black axillars. 

The eggs are three in number, sometimes fovir, deposited on the ground 
with scarcely any indication of a nest. They are pale buff in color, spotted 
with chocolate brown, heaviest on the larger end. 



SYMPHEMIA SEMIPALMATA INORNATA Brewsi. 
Western Willet. 

General reseml:)lance to the preceding species, but the upper parts are paler and not so 
heavily marked with black; the breast shows usually more buff color. In winter plumage it 
resembles the eastern form except in size, the bill usually being longer and the bird somewhat 
larger. 

Length, 15.60; Wing, 8.50: Tarsus, 2.55 : l>ill, 2.30 to 2.80. 

It is a western species common in Florida in winter, its true range 
beinpf from Texas to Manitoba. 



Gi:ni s BARTRAMIA Less. 



BARTRAMIA LONQICAUDA {Beclist.). 
Bartram's Sandpiper. Upland Plover. 

Adult : Head, upper parts, and JM^east mottled l)ro\vn and 
tawny ; ]:)elly white ; first primary barred with lu/tite. 
Ill uiinter the bird is paler in coloration ; tliroat white. 
Length, 11.75; Wing, 6.60 ; Tarsus, 1.90; Bill, 1.20. 

This species occurs in Eastern North 
America, from Nova Scotia south to South 
America. It is not very common anywhere 
on the Atlantic coast nowada3's, although at 
one time it was an abundant species. It 
occm^s in Florida in winter. A good diag- 
nostic character of this species is the barred primary. It breeds from \ ir- 
ginia northward. The eggs are four to five in number, of a pale brownish 
color, mottled v\ith chocolate brown near the larger end. 




KEY TO Till': \\Ari;R UIKDS Ol' !• I.OKIl) A, 



287 



Gknvs TRYNGITES Cai'.ams. 



TRYNGITES SUBRUFICOLLIS ( / /W7/.). 
Buff=breasted Sandpiper. 

Adult in />r<-iuli/io- phiiiiai^c : J'^nlire upper parts moUlcd with black and tawny l)fown, 
the feathers beiiii;' l)lack in the center and l)roadly edited witli tawny; under parts pale rufous 
mottled with wdiitish. 

Adult in icinter pluuiagc : Top of the head and nape pale tawny dotted witli brown; 
feathers of the hack blackish, narrowly edged with white; under parts pale l)uff, becoming- 
whitish on tlie belly, faintly mottled witli brownish on tlie sides of the 
lireast. luiwr 'webs of p)iniaiics speck led. 
Length, S; Wing, 5.30; Tarsus, 1.25: iSill, .S5. 

X(U alnindant on the Atlantic coast, iisiiallv rangino- 

in till' interior. It lireeds from British America nortli- 

ward. It ranoes in winter south to South America, 

being found on otir coast dtn'ing migrations. 

The eggs are described as from three to fonr : pale bnff whiti", spotted 

and lined with dark brown and ptirjilish brown. 




Genus ACTITIS Ilttcij^. 



ACTITI5 riACULARIA (//////.). 
Spotted Sandpiper. 

Adult in sunnner : Top of the head and back olive 

green, showing bronzy rejections when held in the 

^**^!^^p-.».,. light ; some of the feathers on the back irregularly 

^^^^^^ marked with brown; under parts white, marked with 

large spots of black. 

Adult in tinnier : Above olive, showing a bronzy 
luster when held in tlie light; feathers on the back 
faintly tipped with dusky; wing coverts narrowly 
banded with tawny ; throat white ; breast, under parts, 
including belly and under tail coverts, white ; mandi- 
ble and edge of the maxilla pale wax yellow (in life), 
re.st of bill black. 

Length, 8; Wing. 4.20; Tarsus, i: Kill. 1. 

Ranges from Hudson I'jay to South America. It is a very well-known 
bird on our coast, being usually seen alone or in jiairs. It is common on 




288 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



small .streams of fresh water and also on sand beaches, usually selecting 
rocky places. It breeds nearly throughout its range, the eggs being buff 
white or jiale lirown spotted with dark brown, mostly on the larger end. 



Genus NUMENIUS Brisson. 




A. 



Niiiueiiius Inngirostris; 



NUHENIUS LONQIROSTRIS /FA. 
Long=biJIed Curlew. Sickle=bill. 

Adult in summer: Upper parts marked with buff and black ; tail featliers alternately 
banded with tawny buff and brown; throat whitish; rest of under parts pale reddish brown, 
becoming very light on the belly : breast narrowly striped with brown on the middle of the 
feathers; bill very long. 

Adult ill ivinter: General plumage tawny brown ; the back blackish, mottled with buff: 
top of the head dark brown ; the feathers edged with tawny ; throat white ; under part pale 
buff l^rown ; feathers on the lower throat and upper breast finely hned with dark brown ; liill 
very long and curved downward ; bill Islack, becoming dull lilac brown on basal half of tlie 
mandible. 

Length, 26; Wing, 10.50; Tarsus, 2.30; Hill very variable, measuring from 2.50 to 9. 

The immature of this species lias the 1)111 nearly straight Init quite short, sometimes not ex- 
ceeding two inches in length. 

Ranges from temperate North America south to Central America and the 
West Indies. It breeds in the Southern Atlantic States, but is now not 
common on the x\tl antic coast, and is becoming less so every year. The 
eggs are described as olive gray in color, spotted with chocolate brown. 



KEY 'J'O 'nil': WATER lilRDS OI' I'LORIOA. 



589 




NUHENIUS HLIDSONICUS J.at/i. 
Hudsonian Curlew. 

Adult 171 summer : Bill curved downward : top of the head brown, with a stripe of Iniffy 
white through the middle ; rest of upper parts dark brown ; feathers pale on the edges, giving a 
slightly mottled appearance to the back ; chin wliite : throat and breast streaked and fainth 
barred with brown and white ; belly dull white; an imperfect superciliary stripe. 

Adult in winter: Similar to the last, but showing much more tawny mottled on the- upper 
IKirts. and the under parts paler; a superciliary stripe of dull white. 
Lengtli. 17.50; Wing, 9.20; Tarsus, 2.30; Bill, 3 to 3.75. 

Common in North America, soiitli in w inter to Soutli America and tlie 
West Indies. Breeds in the far North. 

It is one of the well-known birds on the Atlantic coast, occin-rino- dm"- 
ing the migrations. 

This species may always be distinguished from the Esquimo or Long- 
billed Curlew bv the buffy stripe on the middle of the crown. The eggs are 
described as three or four in number, grayish olive spotted with brown. 



290 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



NUHENIUS BOREALIS {Forst.). 
Eskimo Curlew. Dough Bird. 

Adult in sHinincr: Bill curved down- 
ward, general plumage above mottled black 
and tawny ; chin whitish ; throat and under 
parts tawny buff, marked on the throat with 
dark brown and on the breast with arrow-like brown mark- 
ings ; flanks and sides of the body tawny, the arrow-like 
marks being much heavier and larger ; top of the head show- 
ing no central stripe of l)uffy white. 

Adult hi winter : Lacking the tawny color of the summer 
plumage; more whitish on the under parts, otherwise the 
markings being similar. 

Length, 13; Wing, S.io: Tarsus, 2 : Bill, 2.75 to 3.50. 

It rano-es from the Arctic re<yions, where it 
breeds, southward to South America. At one 
time it was a very abundant bird on oiu- coast 
during the migrations, but is becoming less com- 
mon every vear. It prefers the fields to the beaches, being often found in 
compan}' with the Golden Plover. It is comparatively rare in Florida, but 
occurs regularlv during migrations. The eggs are pale olive gray spotted 
with dark brown, mostlv at the larger end. 




Family CMARADRIID.E. Plovers. 
Genus CHARADRIUS Linn. 

Subgenus SQUATAROLA Cuv. 



CHARADRIUS SQUATAROLA (Z/V/;/.). 
Black=bellied Plover. Beetle Head. 

Adult malt' in snnuncr : Upper parts smoky l)lack; feathers edged with dull white; l)reast 
black except in higliest plumage, showing traces of wliitish on the featliers ; abdomen and under 
tail coverts white ; forehead white ; axiliars smoky black. 

Adult in winter : Upper plumage brownish mottled with gray; under parts wliite ; breast 
and sides streaked with ashy brown ; bill black. 

Length, 11.25; ^Ving, 7.45 ; Tarsus, 1.85; Bill, i.io. 



KHY 'J'O THE AN'ATICR lilRDS OI" I'LOKIDA. 



291 




■■.»*^^'^ 



Cliaradriiis squ.uarola (sumiiit-r pluniage). 





t'liaracirius sf|uatarnla (wititt-r plumage). 



(-'haradriiis sqiiatarnla ((not). 



This species in;u- always be distinoTiished from the Golden Plo\er bv 
the presence of a rudimentary hind toe and the black axillars, which are 
gray in the Golden IMo\er. 

It ranges from the Arctic regions to vSouth America, being common 
on the Atlantic coast during migrations. It breeds in the far North : the 
eggs are iisualh' four, jiale olixc brown, spotted and sjieckled with brown 
and black. 



2q2 key to the water birds of florida. 

Subgenus CHARADRIUS Linn. 

CHARADRIUS DOMINICUS Mull. 
American Golden Plover. 

Summer plumage: Back and upper parts smoky black ; feathers marked and edged with 
yellow and brown ; sides of the breast whitish ; rest of under parts, throat, and sides of the head, 
including eye, black ; forehead whitish, a stripe extending backwards over the eye ; bill black. 

Winter phanage : Upper parts brownish, feathers marked with dull tawny or buff; under 
parts are dull white streaked with ashy brown or gray on the breast and sides. 
Length. 10.25; Wing, 7; Tarsus, 1.55; Bill, .92. 

This species may always be distinguished in any phunage from the 
BLack-breast Plover by the gray axillars and the absence of the small rudi- 
mentary hind toe. 

It ranges from the Arctic regions to South America, being common on 

the coast during migration. It was at one 
lime abundant in New England in the early 
tall, but its numbers ha\-e de- 
creased greatly within the past 
few years. It is not a common 
y/// ^^^^V bird in Florida, although it is 

occasionally taken in the State. 

It breeds in the far North : the 
eggs are buff colored or brownish 
white mottled and marked with 
chocolate brown. 








Genus /EGIALITIS Boie. 
Subgenus OXYECHUS Rkich. 

/EQIALITIS VOCIFERA (//////.). 
Killdeer Plover. 

Adult: Crown and back l)rownish gray, feathers tipped witii rufous; a ring around the 
neck, lore.s, and a patcli on the breast l)iack : foreiiead white ; throat and spot behind the eye 
and a band around the neck white ; lower breast and belly white ; tail coverts and rump 
bright rufous; tail rufous and gray tipped with black and white; bill black. 

Length, 10.65; Wing, 6.55 ; Tarsus, 1.40; Bill, .75. 

The Killdeer Plover ranges on the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland 
to the northern part of South America. It is a rare bird on the New Eng- 



Kiev IC) Till'; WAIICK r.lKDS Ol I I.OKIDA, 



293 



land coast as a rule. A lew \ ears a^'o there was a L;"reat llij^ht ot these 
liirds along the coast of Massachusetts in December, and hundreds of 
theni were sent to market and sold. 1 killed sexeral near Ilyannis, Mass., 
at that time. 




^^Jgialites vocifera. 

The Killdeer is a common bird in Florida. The CL^fj^rs are pale brownish 
white mottled and lined with chocolate In-own. 




IS a coi 
usualh' 



nmon 
four, 



Subgenus i^EGIALITIS Boie. 

/EGIALITIS SEMI PALH ATA Boiial^. 
Semipalmated Plover. Ring=neck. 

Achilt : Forehead white, succeeded !)> a liand of Mack: rest 
of head, back, and wings ashy gray : a dull stripe of blackish 
passing from the bill under the eye to the sides of the neck : a 
small patch of white back of the eye : a broad Ijand of l)lack on 
tiie breast; rest of under parts wiiite : throat white, extending 
-. around the neck and joining at the liack in a very narrow 

stripe : secondaries tipped with white ; bill i)latk. orange at the 
base: a bright orange ring around the eye. 

Aditlt in sitiiiiiicr : Toes with small webs. 

Length, 6.S0 : Wing, 4.75 ; Tarsus, .93 : Bill, .50. 

Ranges from the Arctic regions to South 
America, breeding from Labrador northward. It 
species on our coast during the migrations. The eggs are 
pale brownish white spotted with chocolate brown. 



294 



Kl^.V TO THE WATER BIRDS OK FLORIDA. 



/EQIALITIS HELODA {Oni). 
Piping Plover. 

Adult in suiiiincr : Upper parts ashy; forehead white, 
separated from the ash color of the head by a narrow patch 
of Ijlack : a band on the side of the breast black ; under 
parts and a ring around the neck white. 

Adult in luintcr : Similar to the summer plumage, but 
the black marking replaced by grayish buff or ashy gray 
instead of black. Bill orange at base, tipped with black. 

Length. 7.20; Wing, 4.80; Tarsus, .90; Bill, .50. 

Ranges from Labrador to the West Indies 
and South America. It is a common species 
on the New England coast during the migra- 
tions, and is a regular winter visitant to Florida, although not abundant. 

The Piping Plover breeds from Virginia to Labrador and Newfoundland. 
The etriTS are dull white marked with dark brown. 




>CQIALITIS HELODA CIRCUHCINCTA Kidgw. 

\ 
Belted Piping Plover. I 

It is similar to N. nicloda, Ijut differs in having an unbroken black band from the sides 
around in front of the neck. I 

This species occurs on the coast during the migrations. I am not aware j 

that it has been recorded from Florida, but it no doubt occin-s there. i 



Subgenus OCHTHODROMUS Reich. 



/EQIALITIS WILSONIA (Ord.). 
Wilson's Plover. 

. \itult male : .\l)0ve ashy brown: forehead white, extending into a faint superciliary stripe 
of dull black on the crown; throat white, continuing on the sides of the neck, nearly joining 
upon the nape ; a black pectoral band, the feathers edged with white, becoming brown upon 
the sides ; under parts white : two central tail feathers brown, the others showing increasing 
markings of white to the outer tail feathers, which are white; bill black (large and stout) ; legs 
pinkish. 



Kl■:^• TO I' III", WATI'lK r.lKDS OI' I'LOKIDA. 



^95 



Female .ukI imiiKiturc birds li.ive the pectoral hand brown, and no Idark on the lie. id. 
Length, 7.45: Wini;, 4.60; Tail, 1.90; Tarsu.s, 1.16; Uill. .90. 

This i,s ralluM- a SoulluTii species, Inil slraooU.rs have heeii taken as iar 
uorlh as Nova Seolia. 

It breeds from \'iroinia southward and is a eoininon bird in I'doriihi. 
The eg^L^s are iisiialh' three in nunilu'r, (hill while dotted and spotted with 
chocolate brown. 





yKgialitis wilsuiiU. 



^Egi.ilitis mniiUiia. 



Sur.oENus PODASOCYS CouEs. 

/CQIALITIS MONTANA {Ihio/is.). 
Mountain Plover. 

Above uniforni brownish -ray. feathers occasionally edged with tawny brown ; nnder parts 
entirely white with tlie exception of the breast, which at times shows a tinge of gray: a l)lack 
loral stripe extending from the bill to the eye, and a black superciliary stripe l)ack of the head, 
showing a patch of black: shafts of the first primary white: wing coverts grayish brown, 
some of them tipped with white : bill black ; legs pale l)rown. 

Length, 8.75 : Wing, 6; Tarsus. 1.60: Bill. .95. 
"Temperate North America from the L;reat plains westward: accidental 
in Florida." (a.o.i.) 

This species has been recorded from Florida, but it is not common in 
the State and must be considered as merely an accidental strai(i,der. 

The eggs are three to four in number, of oli\e brown color dotted and 
marked with brown. 



296 



KEY TO THE ^^'ATER I'.IRDS OF FLORIDA. 



This 
common 
the eggs 
common 



Family APHRIZID.E. Surf Birds and Turnstones. 
Subfamily ARENARIIN.'E. Turnstones. 

Genus ARENARIA Brisson. 

ARENARIA INTERPRES (//////.). 
Turnstone. 



Adiclt in siii?imer : General upper parts mottled and 
variegated with black, white, rufous, and tawny ; throat 
and breast black and white ; rest of under parts white : 
tail with subterminal band of black tipped with white. 

Adult in winter: Above light, streaked and dashed 
with dark brown ; an imperfect band of dark brown on 
the jugulem; chin and upper part of the throat white: 
sides of breast like the back ; rest of the under parts white ; 
a distinct white band on the wing: rump white, but with a 
broad patch of black on the upper tail coverts ; tail dark 
brown, the tips and basal half of the inner feathers and 
nearly two thirds of the outer feathers white : legs reddish 
orange; bill black. 

Length, 8.65 ; Wing, 5.70; Tail, 2.60: Tarsus, i ; liill, .95. 

the Arctic regions to South America and is 
during migrations on the Atlantic coast. It breeds in high latitudes ; 
are pale clay color mottled and lined with dull brown. It is a 
bird in Florida in winter. 




species ranges from 



Family ILEMATOPODID.E. Oyster-latltiers. 
Genus Hi^MATOPUS Einn. 



H/EMATOPUS PALLIATUS Tcmm. 
American Oyster =catcher. 

Winter plumage, male : Head and neck blackish or very dark brown : back brown ; lower 
part of breast and rest of under parts white ; eyelids, rump, tips of wing coverts, part of secon- 
daries, and basal portion of the tail feathers white: bill orange, darkening at the tip (in summer 
deep red) ; legs flesh color. 

Length, 17.40; Wing. 10.05: Tail, 4.35 ; Tarsus, 2.30: Bill, 3.50. 



Ki;v lo rill-; water hirds oi" i'lokida. 



297 




Il.tniatnpiib iMlli.itiu 



This species occurs on the seacoast of lemperale aiul tropical America, 
Ireeiuenting the beaches, where it is often met with in pairs or small Mocks. 
It occasionally occurs as far North as New Jersey. Stragglers have been 
taken near Grand Menan, Maine, and on the coast of Massachusetts. It is 
a common species in Florida, where it lireeds. The eggs are pale brownish 
white spotted with chocolate brown. 




INDEX. 



I, A'I'IX. 



A otitis maculana 
Actodromas . . 
.Egialitis ... 

meloda . . 
„ circunici 

inontana . . 

semipalmata 

vocifera . 

wilsonia . . 
/Estrelata luisitata 
Aix sponsa . . • 
Ajaja ajaja . • 
Anas 

americana 

boschas . . 

carolinensis 

cyanoptera . 

discors . . 

fulvigula 

obscuia . . 

St rep era . . 
Anatida; - ■ ■ 
Anatina" . ■ 
Ancylocheilus 
Aiihinga anhinga 
Aiihingida- • . 
A nous stolid us . 
Anser albifmns gam 
Anseres . . 
.\iiseriniv . ■ 
Aphrizida- . . 
Aramida- . • 
Aranius gigantL-u 
Ardea . • • 

ccurulea . 

candidissinia 

egretta 

herodias . 

occideiitalis 

rufesceiis 

tricolor rulicolli 

virescens . 

wardi . . 

wiierdciiianni 
Arcleida 
.\rdeina- 

Ardftta .... 
L-.vilis . 
neo.xena . 



I So, 2S7 



iS;„ 



-9.) 
294 
294 
295 
293 
292 

-94 
202 

225 
^4- 
-15 

2\C) 
-I S 



SI. 


207 


4^', 


'99 


65, 


-,v^ 



69, 



296 
263 
^63 

-49 
256 

- 5- 
-5' 
250 
249 
253 
^54 



(.9, 2 



.\renaria iiilfr]ircs . 
.Vrcnariina 
.\rqiiatell.i .... 
.\ythya 

attinis .... 

aniericana 

coUaris . . ■ 

marila nearctica 

vallisiiL-ria 

Hartraniia loiigicauda 
ISotaurina .... 
iJotaurus leiitiginosus 
Ilranta 

bcrnicla . 

canadensis . 
iiutorides .... 

C'alidris arenaria . 
( 'haradriida- 
Cliaradrius 

doniinicns 

stpiatarola 
C'haritonetta a!l)L-nla 
C'haulelasmus 
Chen 

ca-rulescL-ns . 

hviJcrhorea nivali 
Ciconia- .... 
(iconiida- . . . • 
Clangula hy emails . 
Colymbus auritus 
C'oturnicops 
Creciscus .... 
Crvmophilus fulicariii> 
Cygnina- .... 
C'yrtopelicanus . . 
( 'vmodroma grallaria 

I )afila acuta . . ., 
I )ichromanassa . 
I )iomedea e.xulans . 
1 )iomedeida . 
Dysporus .... 

I'',reunetes .... 

occidentalis . 

])usillus 
l''.rismatura ruhida . 





i,S._|, 296 




. . 296 




• • -77 




159, 2 2r, 


1 ()0, 


161, 229 


160, 


162, 226 


r6i, 


.62,229 


rr.o, 


161, 22S 




1 59, 227 




178, 286 




■ • 247 




171, 247 




i(.4, 239 




165, 240 




164, 239 




• -57 




180, 280 




182, 290 


182, 


290, 292 




183, 292 




182, 290 




r62, 2 T,t 




. . 218 




1 64, 237 




if'5- -37 




164, 237 




. . 246 




i()8, 246 




161, 2Ti2 




141.185 




. . 267 




. . 267 




. . 270 




if)5, 240 




. . 206 




149, 203 




156. 223 




■ -53 




148, 201 




148, 201 




. . 206 




179- ^79 




179' -^0 




I So, 279 




162, 236 



INDEX. 



Florida . . . . 

Fregata aquila . 

F^regatidsc . . . 
Fulica americana 

FuliciiiJE . . . 

Fuliginse . . . 

Fuligulina:- . . 

Fuligula . . . 



allinago delicata 
allinula galeata 
allinulinac . . 
arzetta 
elochelidon nilotica 
laucionetta clangula 
lottis .... 



rues 
ruidce 

rus . 



amencana 
mexicana 
luara . 
allia 
ndira . 



Ila^matopodida; 
IIa;matopus palliatu 
Herodias . 
Herodii . 
Herodiones 
I limantopus niexic ami 
Hydrana.s.sa . . 
Hydrochelidon ni 



unnanien 



I bides . . . . 
lliidida; 

Imiiirnis niaitinir; 



aruliv 

ariiuv 

anis .... 

argeiitatus sniiti 

atricilla 

delawarensis 

marimis . 

Philadelphia 
imicola^ . 
iinosa .... 

ft'doa . . . 

lia;niastiia . 
.ongipennes . 
.ophodytes riieullatu^ 



.\Iacrorhaiii])iuis 

griseus 

scolopaceus 
Mareca . . . 
Melanitta . . 
Merganser . 



.67, 



■ 256 

53. 211 

53.211 

75' 269 

75' 269 

• 159 

. 226 

. 228 



273 
268 
268 
252 
194 
231 
2S2 
260 
260 
260 
260 
262 
243 
243 
244 



84, 296 
84, 296 

• 251 

• 247 
. 242 

76, 272 

• 254 
47. 199 



. 242 
67' 243 
7 5' 268 



55. 



191 
191 
191 
192 

193 
192 
191 

193 
270 
281 
281 
282 
189 
214 



77' 275 
77. 275 
11^ 275 
. 219 
• 234 
54. 212 



amencana 154, 212 

serrator 154, 155, 213 

Merginae 154, 212 

Micropalama hiniantopus .... 179, 276 

Nettion 220 

Numenius 180, 28S 

borealis 182, 290 

hudsonicus 180, 289 

longirostris 180, 288 

Nyctherodius 259 

Nycticorax 171, 258 

nycticorax na-\ius 171, 258 

violaceus . . . . ■. . . . 171, 259 



Oceanites oceanicus 
Ochthodromus 
Odontoglcssa.' 
Oidemia . . . . 

americana 

deglandi . 

perspicillata 
( )lor columl)ianus . 
()xyechus . . . . 



16: 



149. 203 
■ • 294 
. . 241 

162, 233 

163. 233 
163, 234 
163. 235 
165, 240 
. . 292 



Paludicolje 

Pelecanidx 

I'elecanus 

erythrorhynchns .... 

fuscus 

Pelidna 

Pelionetta 

I'haethon flavirostris 

I'hatithontida- 

I'halacrocroacida; 

I'halacrocorax dilopluis lloritlanii.'- 

Phalaropodidoj 

Phalaropus lobatiis .... 

Philohela minor 

Phuenicopteridx' 

Phoenicopterus ruber .... 

Plataleida; 

Plegadis 

autiimnalis 

guarauna 

I'odasocys 

PodidcipidiV 

Podilymbus podicejis .... 
I'orzana 

Carolina ' . 

jamaicensis .... 

novelioracensis .... 

Procellariidiu 

Puffinus 

auchil)oni 

major 

l'ygoi)odes 



. 260 
52, 209 
52, 209 
52, 209 
52, 210 

• 279 

• 235 
49. 204 
49' 204 
5t,2o8 
5'' 20S 

76, 270 
. 176 

77. 273 
66, 241 
66, 241 

66, 242 

67. 245 
67, 245 
67,' 246 

■ 295 
41, 1S5 
41, 1S6 
74' 266 
74. 266 
74. 267 
74, 267 
48, 201 

48, 201 

49. 202 
48, 201 

. .85 



( )iieniuedula 



221 



/ \ /)/:.\\ 



Ralli 

Rallida- 

RalliiKv 

Ralliis 

elegan.s .... 

longirostris cicpitan- 
,, scottii 

virginiamis . 
Recurviro.stia ameiicaiui 
Recuivirostricla- . 
Rhyacophiliis 
Rhyiichopida; 
Rhynchops niora 



ScolopacitUv 

Spatula clypeata 

Squatarola 

Stegauopodes .... 
Stercorariida- .... 
Steicorarius 

longicaudus 

parasiticus .... 
Sterna 

ana;thetus .... 

antillaruni .... 

dougalli 

forsteri 

fuliginosa .... 

hirundo 

niaxinia 

saiidvicensis acuflaxida 

tscliegrava .... 



58. 



264 
264 
264 
264 
265 
266 
265 



2S4 
:oo 



-7.1 

290 
:o4 
Sy 
89 
90 
89 

94 
98 

97 
97 
96 
q8 
96 

95 
95 
94 



Slcrnin;v 

Sula . . . . 

hassana . 

cyanops . . 

piscator . . 

sula . . . 

Sulidit . . . . 
Syni])heniia 

seniipalniala 



Tantalina' . 
Tantalus loculatrir 
Totanus 

rtavipt's 

melanoleucus 

nebularius 

solitarius . 
Tringa .... 

alpina pacitica 

canutus 

fuscicollis 

maculata . . 

maritima . 

minutilla . 
'I'ryngites suhruHco 
Tubinares . 



Urinator 

imher . 

lumme 
Urinatorida' 



'45' 


'94 


150, 


20 s 


150, 


206 


rso, 


-o; 


ISO, 


206 


150, 


205 


1 50, 


-OS 


iSi, 


28 s 


181, 


-85 


iSi, 


286 




246 


1 68, 


246 


178, 


282 


178, 


28:; 


181, 


28^ 


1 82, 


282 


'79, 


284 


I7.S, 


276 


' 79, 


279 


178, 


276 


180, 


278 


17S, 


277 


'79> 


^77 


r8o, 


278 


'79, 


287 




201 


142, 


187 


142, 


187 


142, 


188 


'4-, 


187 



INDEX. 



(KNCILISH.; 



All)atross, Waiuk-riiig 1 48, 201 

Anhinga i5^'~°7 

Avocet, American 176,271 

Baldpatf 1 57' -'9 

Beetle-head 1S2, 290 

Bittern, American ■7i> -47 

Cory's Least 172, 249 

Least 172, 248 

I'.kiebill 160, 161 

liooby, Blue-faced 1 50> 205 

Common 15°' 205 

Red-footed i 50, 206 

Brant 165, 240 

Broadbill 1 5'*^ 

Buffle-head 162, 231 

Bull-peep 280 

Butter-ball 231 

Butter-bill '(^3 



Canvas-back 
Coot . . . 



I 59, 



2-/ 
16; 



American 17 5' 269 

Black 

Sea 

Skunk-head 162, 

White-winged 163, 

Cormorant, Klorida 151. 

Courlans 

Crane, Sandhill '72> 

Whoopint; 172! 

Crying-bird • 

Curlew, Eskimo 182, 

Hudsonian 180, 

Jack 

I.onu-billed 180. 



235 
163 

234 
208 
263 
262 
260 

'73 
290 
289 
180 
288 



Darters 

I )ivers 

(Jreat Northern 

l\.ed-throated .... 

Dough-bird 

Dowitcher 

Dowitcher, Long-billed . . 
Ducks 

American ( 'lolden Lye . 

Haldpate 

I'.lack 



15c 
142, 
142, 
142, 
182, 
■77. 
177. 
154' 
162. 



.85 
1 87 
188 
290 

275 
275 
212 



2 '9 I 
216 I 



lUuel)ill i''0- I'Ji 

Broadbill ^S^ 

Buftle-head 162, 231 

Butter-ball 231 

Butter-bill '63 

Canvas-back I59>227 

Dusky 157. 2 If. 

Florida Black 157^ 217 

Dusky 2T7 

Gadwall . .' 1 57- 218 

Mallard 156, 157. 215 

Merganser, American . . . • 154,212 

liooded 155' 214 

Red-breasted 1 54' 213 

Old Squaw 161, 232 

Old Wife 232 

Pintail 156-223 

Redhead 160, 162, 226 

Ring-necked 161, 162, 229 

Ruddy 162, 236 

Scaup, American 228 

Greater 160, 161 

Lesser K^'O, 161, 229 

Sheldrake ; ' 54 

Shoveller 15*^' 222 

Spirit 231 

South Southerly 232 

S])rigtail 232 

.Summer '57 

Wliistler 1'". K'2' 231 

NN'idgeon, ISaklpate '57 

American .-219 

Wood '57' 225 

Dunlin, .\merican '79 

l'".gret, .\merican 170, 251 

Reddish '70. 2 53 

White 170,252 

Flamingo, .\nierican 166, 241 

Fhnida' I'.lack Duik '57-217 

Dusky 217 

Fulmars . ' 201 

C.adwall '57' 2''"; 

(lallinule, Florida '"5' 268 

i'urple '75' 268 

C.annets 150,205,206 



L-^ 



INDEX. 



Codwit, I lu(lsoni;in 

Marbled 

(loklen I'lyc, Amuiic an . . . if>i, 
(loose, American Whitc-fmntrd . . 

i;lue 

("anada 

(Ireater Snow 

( irass-liird 

( irebe, 1 lorned 

l'ied-l)illed 

( irecn-shank 

(lull, American ilerrinn 

Bonaparte's 

(ireat Black-backed 

Laughing 

Mackerel 

King-billed 



Ibi: 



on. Black-crowned Niglil 

( Ireat Blue 

( Ireat White . . . . 

(ireen 

Little lilue 

Louisiana 

Snowy 

Ward's 

Wiirdeniann's . . . . 

\'ello\v-crowned Night . 
, ("i lossy 

Scarlet 

White 

White-faced . . . . 

Wood 



Jaeger, Long-tailed 
I'arasitic 



Killdeer 
Knot 



Limpkin 

Loon 

„ Ked-throated . . 

Mallard 

Man-o'-War Bird . . 
Merganser, American . 

Hooded .... 

Red-breasted . 
Mother Cary's Chicken 
Mud-hen 



iSi, 
1 80, 
162, 

.65, 

I (.5, 
164, 
164, 
17S, 
I 11, 
141. 
iSj, 

144. 
1.-14' 
144. 
144, 



144. 

17I' 
170, 
i(.9, 
171, 



J82 
281 

-yi 
239 
237 
277 

■S5 
186 
282 
[92 

I 'J3 
lyi 

'93 
196 
192 

258 
- so 



171. 25 



'7L 
167, 
168, 
167, 
r67, 
168, 

143- 
"43- 

iS;„ 
i7'S, 



/,■)■ 



I -4x 



\\2, 

142, 

I 57' 
I 53' 
'54- 
'5 5- 



2 59 
245 
244 
-43 

24() 

246 

I i)0 

1 8(, 

292 
276 

26.3 
187 
188 
215 
21 1 
212 
214 



154. 



.i>' 



( )lcl Scpiaw 

( )kl Wife 

( )yster-catcher, American 

Pelican, American White 
Brown 

Petrel, Plack-capped . . 
White-bellied . . . 



'7 5- 
161, 



:69 



184, 296 



152, 

152, 
149- 
1 49' 



209 
2ro 



Wilson's 149' 

i'h.darope, ( Iray 

Northern 

\<k:(\ 

■ 56, 



I'mt 
I'lov 



er, ( lolden . 

l>elted Piping 

Black4)ellied 

Black-breasted 

Killdeer . . 

^b)^lntain 

i'il))ng 

King-neck 

Semipalmatcd 

I'pland . 

Wilson's . . 



18: 



18;,. 
18;,. 
183. 
18;,. 



178, 
,8;,, 



1-6 



292 
294 
290 
182 
292 
295 
294 
293 
293 

28() 

294 



Kail, Plack 

Carolina 

Clai^per 

Morida ( lappci 

King 

Scott's . 

Virginia . 

Yellow 
Kedhead 
{■iing-neck . 

Sanderling 
Sandpijier, Bartianu; 
l)uff-l)reasteil 
Least . . . 
Pectoral . 
Purple 

Red-backed . 
Semipalmatcd 
Solitary . . 
S|)ottcd . . 
Still . . . 
^^'estenl . . 

semip 
White-rumped 
Scoter, American 
Surf . . . 
White-winged 
Shearwater, Audubc 

Greater . 
Sheldrakes 
Shoveller . 
Sickle-bill . . . 
Skimmer, Black . 
Snake Bird . . 
Sni]5e, L'.nglish 

Ked-breasted 
Kobin . . . 
Western Red-1 
Wilson's . 
.Sora 



Soutii Southerly 



174, 267 
I 74, 266 
173- 265 
. . 266 
173,264 
174, 266 
174' 265 
174,267 

do. 162, 226 
• • • 293 



r6 



180. 280 

178, 286 

179, 287 
I So, 278 

178, 277 
179' 277 
179' 279 
rSo, 279 

179, 284 
287 
27'' 

■ • '79 
. . 280 

180, . 
163, : 

'63' 
163, 

'49' 
148, 



180, 
'79' 



278 
233 
235 
234 



1 5>S, 



I =;4 



'47' 



:88 
:oo 



174. 



276 



2/ J 
266 



lO-l 



INDEX. 



vSpoonbill, Roseate . i66, 242 

Sprigtail .... 223 

Stilt, Black-necked [76, 272 

Storks 168 

Swan, Whisthng 165, 240 

Swimmers, Long-winged 189 

Totipalmate 204 

Tube-nosed 201 

'I'eal, Hlue-winged 158, 221 

Cinnamon [59, 221 

Green-winged 159, 220 

Tern, Black .... .... 147, 199 

Bridled 146, 198 

Cabot's 145, 195 

Caspian 145, 194 

Common 145, 196 

Forster's 146, 196 

Chill-l)illed 147, 194 



I>east 147, 197 

Noddy 146, 199 

Roseate 146, 197 

Koyal 145' 195 

Sooty 145, 1 98 

Tropic Bird, \'ellow-billed .... 149, 204 

Turkey, Water . . . . . . . 151, 207 

Turnstone [84, 296 

Whistler r 61, 162, 231 

Widgeon, American . 219 

Baldpate .... 157 

Willet 181, 2S5 

Western 181, 286 

Woodcock, American 177, 273 

\'ellowlegs, Greater 181, 283 

Summer 178, 283 

Winter i8t, 283 



Works on Ornithology, 

by 

Charles B* Cory* 
A Naturalist in the Magdalen Islands, 

(iiving description of the islands and list of the hiixls taken there, with other ornithological 
notes. C)ne vol., sniall (^narto. illustrated. IJoston, I'. S. .A.. 1S78. 

I 'rice $1.50. 

The Birds of the Bahama Islands. 

ContaininL!,- many species new to the islands, together with a number of undescrihed winter 
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quarto. Hoston, U. .S. A., iSSo. 

Trice ......... S7.00. 

Revised edition of same, lioston, U. .S. .A.. 1S90. 

Price ......... ,'?7.oo. 

The Beautiful and Curious Birds of the World. 

A superb work, complete in seven parts (atlas folio), illustrated with twenty plates (21 by 27 
ins.), beautifully colored, each plate finished by hand in water colors. The plates represent a 
series of beautiful and curious Ijirds, extinct and living. .Among the species illustrated are : 
Birds of Paradise, Dodo, Great Auk, Aptery.x, Labrador Duck, Califcfrnia Condor, Sacred Ibis, 
etc., etc. Each plate is accompanied by descriptive te.xt. The edition was limited to two hun- 
dred copies and the stones were destroyed after that number were printed. Less than twenty 
perfect sets now remain unsold. lioston. LL .S. A., i.SSj. 

Price in parts ....... $75-oo 

Pound in Levant ....... 595.00 

The Birds of Haiti and San Domingo. 

Containing twenty-two full-page plates colored by hand in water colors. Large quarto, 
bound in cloth; the edition was limited to three hundred copies. Boston, LI. S. A., 1885. 
Price $20. CO. 



A List of the Birds of the West Indies^ i 

i 

New edition, revised and enlarged, one vol., hoards. Boston, [J. S. A., iSS6. ; 

Price ......... #1.00. ' 

The Birds of the West Indies. 

Including all species known to occur in the Bahama Islands, the Greater and Lesser Antilles, i 

excepting the islands of Tobago and Trinidad. The only exhaustive work on the birds of tiie i 

West Indies that has yet bten pul)lished. Illu.strated with map and numerous cuts. One vol., ' 

large quarto, bound in cloth. Boston. U. S. A., 1SS9. ' 

Price ......... #5.00. j 

Catalogue of West Indian Birds. ' 

Containing a list of all species known to occur in the Bahania Islands, the Greater Antilles, | 
the Caymans, and the Lesser Antilles, excepting the islands of Tobago and Trinidad, map. 
One vol., large ciuarto, bound in cloth. Boston, V. S. A., 1S92. 

Price ......... $2.50. 

Hunting and Fishing in Florida. ' 

Including a key to the water birds of the State, illustrated with more than two hundred cuts | 
and two full-page photogravures. Ouarto, l)Ound in cloth. Boston, U. S. A., 1896. 
Price $3.75. 

Key to the Water Birds of Florida. 

Giving a description of all the water birds known to occur -in the .State. Illustrated witli : 
numerous cuts representing nearly every species. Boston, L'. S. A., 1S96. 

Price, paper, ^^1.50, cloth $i75. 

These works may be obtained from 

Estes & Lauriat, Washington St., Boston, Mass. 

Bradlee Whidden, 18 Arch St., Boston, Mass. , 

L. S. Foster, 35 Pine St., New York. 

R. H. Porter, 18 Princes St., Cavendish Sq., London, England. 



In Course of Preparation. 



Check List of the Birds of Florida. The Birds of Eastern North America. 

Key to the Birds of Illinois. 






%^^ 






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